Patent Publication Number: US-11655634-B2

Title: Acoustic panels and related methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/040,197, filed Jun. 17, 2020, and titled ACOUSTIC PANELS AND RELATED METHODS, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/144,286, filed Feb. 1, 2021, and titled ACOUSTIC PANELS AND RELATED METHODS, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of acoustic systems for absorbing sound energy. More particularly, some embodiments relate to acoustic panels that absorb sound energy in a building structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The written disclosure herein describes illustrative embodiments that are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to certain of such illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a plan view of a first side of an acoustic panel, depicted in an unassembled configuration. 
         FIG.  2    is a plan view of a second side of the acoustic panel of  FIG.  1   , depicted in an unassembled configuration. 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of the acoustic panel of  FIG.  1   , depicted in an unassembled configuration. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of the first side of the acoustic panel of  FIG.  1   , depicted in an assembled configuration. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of an acoustic system that can include a suspension system and an acoustic panel. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of an acoustic system with an acoustic panel coupled to a suspension system. 
         FIG.  7    is another perspective view of an acoustic system with an acoustic panel coupled to a suspension system. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of an acoustic system with a plurality of acoustic panels coupled to a suspension system. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of another acoustic system with an acoustic panel coupled to a suspension system. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of another acoustic system with an acoustic panel coupled to a suspension system. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of another acoustic system with an acoustic panel coupled to a suspension system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Many locations are filled with various sources of sound and/or noise, including people, vehicles, music players, computers, televisions, appliances, musical instruments, etc. These sounds may cause confusions, strain, anxiety, privacy concerns, and/or miscommunication. Accordingly, sound dampening and/or acoustic materials may be used to absorb, dampen, reflect, etc., sound energy in an attempt to control the sound in a desired manner. 
     The present disclosure relates to acoustic panels used to absorb, dampen, and/or reflect sound energy in an acoustic system. In some embodiments, the acoustic panels can be applied to a building structure, such as a ceiling, wall, or suspension system. As further detailed below, the embodiments may be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Similarly, if a method is described herein as comprising a series of steps, the order of such steps as presented herein is not necessarily the only order in which such steps may be performed, and certain of the stated steps may possibly be omitted and/or certain other steps not described herein may possibly be added to the method. Furthermore, the terms “comprise,” “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. 
     The phrase “coupled to” is broad enough to refer to any suitable coupling or other form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical interaction. Two components may be coupled to each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. Objects described herein as being “adjacent” to each other may be in physical contact with each other, in close proximity to each other, or in the same general region or area as each other, as appropriate for the context in which the phrase is used. 
       FIGS.  1 - 4    illustrate various views of an acoustic panel  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular,  FIG.  1    illustrates a plan view of a first side of the acoustic panel  100  in an unassembled configuration;  FIG.  2    illustrates a plan view of a second side of the acoustic panel  100  in an unassembled configuration;  FIG.  3    illustrates a side view of the acoustic panel  100  in an unassembled configuration; and  FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of a first side of the acoustic panel  100  in an assembled configuration. As can be appreciated, an unassembled configuration or state can also be referred to as an unfolded configuration or state, and an assembled configuration or state can also be referred to as a folded configuration or state. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , the acoustic panel  100  is substantially planar or flat in an unassembled configuration. This substantially planar or flat shape is advantageous in many ways. For instance, a substantially planar or flat shape can yield various advantages when packaging, shipping, and/or storing the acoustic panels  100 . For example, a substantially planar or flat shape can take up significantly less space and volume than a non-planar and non-flat shape. Manufacturing steps can also be minimized as the acoustic panel  100  may be assembled prior to installation rather than prior to shipment. The acoustic panel  100  may also be assembled without use of an adhesive (e.g., glue) or other hardware, as further detailed below. 
     The acoustic panel  100  includes a base  111  or central region. The acoustic panel  100  further includes a plurality of sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  extending around a periphery of the base  111 . In the illustrated embodiment, the acoustic panel  100  includes four sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 . In other embodiments, the acoustic panel  100  includes a number of sidewalls that corresponds to the number of edges around the panel  100 . For example, a triangular shaped panel can include 3 sidewalls, a pentagonal shaped panel can include 5 sidewalls, and hexagonal shaped panel can include 6 sidewalls, etc. Other shapes and numbers of sidewalls are also contemplated. 
     The acoustic panel  100  further includes a plurality of hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  that extend around the periphery of the base  111 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  can be disposed between the base  111  and the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 . In some embodiments, the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  are living hinges made of the same material as the base  111  and sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 . In some of such embodiments, the base  111 , hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 , and sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  are made of a unitary piece of material. For instance, the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  can be formed by cutouts in the material and/or structure. In other embodiments, individual hinge structures  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  can be used to couple individual sidewall structures  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  to the base  111 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  can extend along a length of each side of the base  111 . Further, the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  can extend the entirety of the length of each side of the base  111  and define a folding region wherein the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  can fold. For instance, the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  can be configured such that the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  can be folded to transition from an unassembled configuration (as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   ) to an assembled configuration (as shown in  FIG.  4   ). For example, prior to installation and/or at a user&#39;s discretion, the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  can be folded along the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  to transition the acoustic panel  100  from the unassembled configuration (as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   ) to the assembled configuration (as shown in  FIG.  4   ). 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1 - 3   , the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  are disposed on a first side  110  of the acoustic panel  100 . For instance, the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  can comprise cutouts in the first side  110  of the acoustic panel  100 . In such embodiments, the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  are configured to fold approximately 90 degrees in one direction, towards the first side  110 . In other embodiments, bidirectional hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  can be used such that the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  can be forded towards either the first side  110  or the second side  120 . For instance, cutouts can be formed on both sides  110 ,  120  of the acoustic panel  100  to achieve bidirectional hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  if desired. 
     In some embodiments, the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  can comprise a substantially v-shaped cross-sectional cutout shape, as shown in  FIG.  3   . In certain of such embodiments, the walls of the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  can be disposed at an angle of between about 40 and about 50 degrees relative to the longitudinal plane of the acoustic panel  100 . In one embodiment, the walls of the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  are disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal plane of the acoustic panel  100 . When the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  are folded (e.g., approximately 90 degrees) and transitioned to the assembled configuration, the opposing walls of the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  can be configured to contact and/or interface with one another. With the opposing walls of the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  disposed adjacent one another, the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  are oriented in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the panel  100  as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     As further shown in the illustrated embodiment, edges  102   a ,  104   a ,  106   a ,  108   a  of the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  can also be cut or shaped with an angled or sloped surface. The edges  102   a ,  104   a ,  106   a ,  108   a  can further be configured to correspond and interface with an edge  102   a ,  104   a ,  106   a ,  108   a  of an adjacent sidewall  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  when folded or assembled, as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     As further shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  further include one or more extension members  103 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109  and one or more connection interfaces  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129 . The extension members  103 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109  and/or connection interfaces  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129  can be configured to aid in coupling the panel  100  to a building structure. 
     In some embodiments, the connection interfaces  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129  include a recess, channel, or groove formed in the sidewall  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the connection interfaces  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129  are also disposed towards the second side  120  of the panel  100 , or the side opposite the hinges  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  such that the connection interfaces  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129  are directed outward when the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  are folded into the assembled configuration. The connection interfaces  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129  are also disposed at an upper edge of the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 , below the extension members. As further detailed below, the connection interface  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129  can be configured to receive a portion of a building structure (e.g., a runner or rail) to couple the acoustic panel  100  to a building structure. The connection interface  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129  can further extend along a portion of or the entirety of the sidewall  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 , as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     The acoustic panel  100  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4    is substantially rectangular in shape. However, the disclosure is not so limited, and the acoustic panel  100  can be other shapes and configurations as desired. For instance, in one embodiment the acoustic panel  100  is rectangular in shape, having pairs of sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  with varying lengths. Other shapes are also contemplated. 
     The size of the acoustic panel  100  may also vary as desired. For example, in some embodiments, the thickness T of the base  111  of the acoustic panel  100  is between about ⅛ inch and about 2 inches, or between about ¼ inch and about 1 inch. When assembled, the height H of the acoustic panel  100  can also vary as desired. For example, in some embodiments, the height H of the acoustic panel  100  is between about 1 inch and about 24 inches, between about 1 inch and about 20 inches, or between about 1 inch and about 12 inches. Further, in some instances, the height H of the acoustic panels  100  vary within a system. For example, various acoustic panels  100  can be used having various heights (as shown in  FIG.  8   ). When assembled, the length and/or width of the acoustic panel  100  may also vary. In some embodiments, the length and/or width of the acoustic panel  100  is between about 5 inches and about 96 inches, or between about 10 inches and about 48 inches. Other heights H, thicknesses T, lengths and/or widths are also contemplated. 
     As previously discussed, the acoustic panels  100  may be coupled to a building structure, such as a ceiling, wall, or suspension system to absorb, dampen, and/or reflect sound energy. Each acoustic panel  100  may comprise various types of sound dampening materials. Exemplary sound dampening materials that can be used include, but are not limited to, cotton, rayon, acetate, nylon, wood, olefins (or polyolefins), polyesters, acrylics, fiberglass, petroleum based fibers, biofibers (e.g., fibers manufactured from soybean oil, corn oil, sugar cane, bamboo, etc.) and mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the acoustic panel  100  comprises polyester and/or fiberglass. In a particular embodiment, the acoustic panel  100  comprises polyester. And in another particular embodiment, the acoustic panel  100  comprises fiberglass. In certain embodiments, the sound dampening material is fibrous. For example, the acoustic panel  100  may comprise fiberglass, a spunbonded olefin, or a spunbonded polyester sound dampening material. In some embodiments, the fibrous material can also be an extruded fibrous material. 
     The sound dampening material of the acoustic panel  100 , and/or layers of the acoustic panel  100 , can also be non-woven. Non-woven materials can be useful in acoustic sound control due to their porous structure, high surface area, and low cost of production. The non-woven materials may also be porous. For example, non-woven materials can have a porosity greater than 70%, 80%, or 90%. This porosity can increase the amount of sound energy the acoustic panel  100  may absorb. 
     In some embodiments, the acoustic panel  100  comprises mixtures of different types of sound dampening materials (such as mixtures of different types of polyesters). For example, the acoustic panel  100  can comprise a high melt material and a low melt material (e.g., such as high and low melt polyesters). High melt materials can refer to materials having a melting point greater than about 330° F., such as between about 330° F. and about 450° F. Low melt materials can refer to materials having a melting point lower than about 320° F., such as between 220° F. and about 320° F. For instance, in a particular embodiment, the acoustic panel  100  comprises a mixture of at least one high melt polyester having a melting point greater than about 330° F., such as between about 330° F. and about 450° F., and at least one low melt polyester having a melting point lower than about 320° F., such as between 220° F. and about 320° F. In some of these embodiments, the acoustic panel  100  may comprise between about 50% and 95%, or between about 70% and 90% by weight of a high melt material, and between about 5% and 50%, or between about 10% and 30% by weight of a low melt material. 
     The acoustic panel  100  may also comprise acoustic materials having various weights, thicknesses, or deniers. For example, in certain embodiments, the acoustic materials can comprise a first portion of fibers having a first average denier and a second portion of fibers having a second average denier. In some of such embodiments, the first average denier is smaller than the second average denier. Additional sizes, such as a third average denier, fourth average denier, etc., can also be used. 
     In some embodiments, the acoustic panel  100  can comprise a plurality of layers that are fabricated into a mat. In some of such embodiments, fabrication of the acoustic panel  100  comprises disposing acoustic material into two or more layers. The acoustic material can then be treated. For example, the acoustic material can be compressed and/or subjected to heat or elevated temperatures, such as with a hot iron or heat press to form a mat. Other manufacturing methods and/or processes can also be used. For example, in some embodiments, acoustic materials can be entangled within a layer. Entanglement can occur prior to laying the adjacent layer (e.g., second layer) or after laying the adjacent layer. 
     As previously indicated, the acoustic panel  100  may be configured to absorb, dampen, and/or reduce acoustic energy. In some embodiments, the acoustic panel  100  may reduce acoustic energy by at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90%. In other embodiments, the acoustic panel  100  may reduce acoustic energy in an amount ranging from 50% to 90%. The standard for measuring such a reduction of acoustic energy may be a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) as tested under ASTM C423. 
     The acoustic panel  100  can be coupled to various types of building structures. For instance, the acoustic panels  100  can be coupled to ceiling, wall, or suspension system. The mounting of an acoustic panel  100  to an exemplary suspension system  10  is shown in  FIG.  5   . For example, in  FIG.  5   , the suspension system  10  includes a plurality of rails or runners  12  extending in a first direction and a plurality of rails or runners  14  extending in a second direction to form a grid with a plurality of openings  20  sized to receive acoustic panels  100 . The dimensions of the grid can vary, such as between about 2 feet and about 20 feet, or between about 2 feet and about 12 feet. Larger and/or smaller grids are also contemplated. The size of the openings  20  in the grid can also vary, such as between about 5 inches and about 96 inches, or between about 10 inches and about 48 inches. The openings  20  can also be rectangular or square in accordance with the grid design. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  5   , the rails or runners  12 ,  14  of the grid may be suspended and/or hung from a ceiling or wall structure. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the rails or runners  12 ,  14 , are suspended by a plurality of suspension wires or cables  16 . The suspension wires or cables  16  can support the rails or runners  12 ,  14  at a predetermined distance from a ceiling. In other instances, the rails or runners  12 ,  14  are suspended by one or more wall structures (e.g., between two or more wall structures extending vertically from a floor structure). In other embodiments, the acoustic panels  100  can be coupled directed to a wall or ceiling structure which may have a grid-like interface. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  5 - 7   , during installation, the acoustic panels  100  can be inserted into an opening  20  in the grid and coupled to the structure  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, a method of installation comprises a step of assembling the acoustic panel  100  by folding and transitioning the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  from an unassembled configuration (as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   ) to an assembled configuration (as shown in  FIG.  4   ). Adhesives (e.g., glues) and other mechanical hardware need not be used. In the assembled configuration, the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  can be biased towards the unassembled configuration, such that the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  exhibit an outward force as they want to resume their planar or flat configuration. This bias or force can be advantageous in coupling to the grid. 
     With the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  folded into the assembled configuration, the method can further comprise a step of coupling the acoustic panel  100  to a building structure. In some embodiments, the coupling step comprises coupling the acoustic panel  100  to a ceiling, wall, or suspension system  10 . In doing so, the extension members  103 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109  can be inserted into an opening in the building structure, such as the opening  20  of the grid depicted in  FIGS.  5 - 7   . For example, the extension members  103 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109  can be non-rigid such that they can be urged inwards during insertion into the opening  20 . After the extension members  103 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109  are pushed past the one or more rails or runners  12 ,  14  such that the rails or runners  12 ,  14 , are disposed within the connection interfaces  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129 , the extension members  103 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109  can bias back towards a position that is substantially parallel with the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  and perpendicular from the base  111  to hold the acoustic panel  100  in position, as shown in  FIG.  6   . 
       FIG.  7    illustrates an exemplary acoustic panel  100  coupled to the grid, showing a cutaway of a portion of the rail or runner  12 . As shown therein, a portion of the rail or runner  12  is disposed within or otherwise engaged with the connection interface  123  and below the extension member  103  thereby retaining the acoustic panel  100  in the structure  10 . Further, as mentioned above, the sidewalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  may bias towards the unassembled configuration, causing the connection interface  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129  to exhibit a force on the rails or runners  12 ,  14  and aid in retaining the acoustic panel  100  in position. No adhesives (e.g., glue) or other mechanical hardware is thus required for coupling the acoustic panel  100  to the rail or runner  12 ,  14 , although adhesives (e.g., glue) and/or other mechanical hardware can be optionally used if desired. 
     In similar fashion, a plurality of acoustic panels  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  can be coupled to a building structure  10  as shown in  FIG.  8   . In particular,  FIG.  8    shows a four panels  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  coupled to the runners  12 ,  14  of a building structure  10 . As shown in  FIG.  8   , the height of the panels  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  can also be varied to achieve a desired visual or aesthetic appeal. 
     A desired visual or aesthetic appeal can also be achieved by imparting design features to the panels.  FIGS.  9 - 11    depict additional embodiments of the acoustic panels  500 ,  600 ,  700 , each having a different variety of design features. For instance,  FIG.  9    illustrates an exemplary acoustic panel  500  coupled to rails or runners  12 ,  14  of a suspension system  10  according to one embodiment. As shown therein, the acoustic panel  500  includes one or more design features  530  disposed on a side or surface  520  of the acoustic panel  500 . In some embodiments, the design features  530  comprise score lines or cutouts in the side or surface  520  of the acoustic panel  500 . In certain of such embodiments, the score lines or cutouts comprise a substantially V-shaped, U-shaped, or rectangular-shaped cross-section. Other types and/or shapes of design features  530  can also be used. In certain embodiments, the design features  530  are only disposed on one side or surface  520  of the acoustic panel  500 . For instance, the design features  530  may be disposed on a surface that is visualized and/or viewed when the acoustic panel  500  is coupled to a structure  10 . In certain embodiments, the design features  530  are also shown to not extend to the sidewalls  502  of the side or surface, although the design features  530  can extend along the sidewalls  502  of the side or surface if desired. 
     Any variety of design features  530  can be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the design features  530  comprise linear lines or grooves extending across the side or surface  520  of the acoustic panel  500 . Other design features  530  are also contemplated, including non-linear lines, arcs, curved lines, patterns, etc. Further, the design features  530  can extend in one or more directions, including, but not limited to, laterally across the acoustic panel  500 , longitudinally across the acoustic panel  500 , and/or diagonally across the acoustic panel  500  as desired. 
       FIGS.  10  and  11    depict additional embodiments of acoustic panels  600 ,  700  having design features  630 ,  730 . In particular,  FIG.  10    illustrates an acoustic panel  600  having diamond-shaped design features  630  imparted to a side or surface  620  of the acoustic panel  600 .  FIG.  11    illustrates an acoustic panel  700  having design features  730  comprising linear lines that extend diagonally across a side or surface  720  of the acoustic panel  700 . Further, the acoustic panel  700  of  FIG.  11    is also an elongated rectangle in shape rather than square. It will thus be appreciated that any variety of design features can be applied to a side or surface (e.g., a visual side or surface) of the acoustic panels to achieve a desired visual or aesthetic appeal. It will also be appreciated that various sizes and/or shapes of acoustic panels can be used. 
     Methods of using and/or making an acoustic system are also disclosed herein. In particular, it is contemplated that any of the components, principles, and/or embodiments discussed above may be utilized in either an acoustic system or a method of using and/or making the same. 
     It will be appreciated that any methods disclosed herein include one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified. Moreover, sub-routines or only a portion of a method described herein may be a separate method within the scope of this disclosure. Stated otherwise, some methods may include only a portion of the steps described in a more detailed method. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     Similarly, it should be appreciated by one of skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim requires more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following this Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims. 
     Recitation in the claims of the term “first” with respect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second or additional such feature or element. All ranges include both endpoints. 
     Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the invention to its fullest extent. The claims and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and exemplary, and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, with the aid of the present disclosure, that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure herein. In other words, various modifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosed in the description above are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the order of the steps or actions of the methods disclosed herein may be changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order or use of specific steps or actions may be modified. The scope of the invention is therefore defined by the following claims and their equivalents.