Patent Publication Number: US-2015068540-A1

Title: Water pipe and apparatus and method of making the same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefits of and priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/960,159, filed Sep. 12, 2013, entitled “Ice Water Pipe Mold,” U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/960,162, filed Sep. 12, 2013, entitled “Ice Stand,” and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/960,163, filed Sep. 12, 2013, entitled “Ice Grommet;” each of the above-identified applications being fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention generally relates to a water pipe and apparatus and method of making the same, and more particularly to ice water pipe and mold and method of making the same. 
     2. Discussion of the Background 
     A water pipe is commonly used as a filtration device for smoking tobacco or other herbal substances (e.g., herbal aromas). The water pipe consists of a main body, chamber, or bowl with a closed bottom and an opening at the top. The water pipe also includes an opening on the side of the main body for the insertion at an angle with the main body a stem from the side into the main body of the water pipe. The stem is hollowed and the bottom opening of the stem faces towards the interior of the main body and the top opening faces towards open air. Generally, the water pipe is made of glass. 
     In a common operation of the water pipe, the main body of the water pipe is filled with water, up to a height below the opening at the top of the water pipe and the top opening of the stem, such that the water filled in the main body will not spill from either openings when the water pipe is stationary and level. Tobacco or other herbal substances may be placed in the stem near the top opening on the stem. The tobacco or other herbal substances is lighted, and a user may inhale through the top opening of the water pipe. As such, the smoke of the tobacco or the other herbal substances is drawn through the stem into the water inside the water pipe body and up the water pipe to be inhaled by the user. 
     Through the use of the water pipe, the smoke from the lit tobacco or other herbal substances is filtered by the water. One effect of the water filtration of the smoke through the water pipe is that certain ingredients that are harmful to the user inhaling the smoke may get filtered out by the process. Another effect is that the smoke may be “smoothed” by the water filtration, thereby enhancing the enjoyment of the user of the water pipe. 
     However, the water pipe in the related art has a number of deficiencies. 
     For example, many users of the water pipe in the related art have a preference for smoke that is further chilled, as many view inhaling chilled smoked as being more enjoyable. Some users may introduce ice into the water to bring about the chilled smoke effect. However, such process introduces complexities to the use of the water pipe by requiring user preparation beyond the designed use of the water pipe (e.g., preparing the ice cubes). Also, placing ice cubes floating in the water may cause undesirable noise and uneven weight distribution when held by the user due to the movements of the ice cubes in the water banging against the interior walls of the water pipe, decreasing the user&#39;s enjoyment while using the water pipe or increasing the likelihood of spilling the water or other hazards (e.g., dropping the water pipe causing breakage or dropping the lit tobacco or other herbal substances creating a fire hazard). 
     Another deficiency is that the water pipe in the related art are made of relatively expensive materials and are non-disposable (e.g., glass water pipe). As such, the water pipe must be thoroughly cleaned after each use. An unclean water pipe may retain flavor, smell, or taste of the smoke from the previous use, affecting the user&#39;s enjoyment if the user switches flavor in the next use. Further, an unclean water pipe facilitate the transmission of communicable diseases if a number of users engages in the sharing of the water pipe. Also, further work by the user is needed to thoroughly clean the water pipe after use. The additional handling due to cleaning may expose the water pipe to added risks of being damage. The replacement costs for breaking a water pipe in the related art would be relatively great. In any case, repeating cleaning and usage of the water pipe increases wear on the water pipe, which eventually requires a full replacement of the water pipe. 
     Another deficiency is each water pipe in the related art may contain original and unalterable artwork or design when the water pipe is first created. For example, once the water pipe is made, the artwork or other design elements cannot be changed readily if at all. Therefore, a user may need to own a collection of water pipes if it is desirable to use a water pipe of a different design (i.e., for different occasions) in order to derive the maximum enjoyment from using water pipes with different designs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, there is a need for a water pipe and apparatus and method of making the same to address the above deficiencies and other problems. 
     One advantage of the present invention is to provide a water pipe that will chill the smoke for inhaling by the user without additional process by the user during use. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a water pipe that is inexpensive and disposable after one or more uses. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a water pipe that can be easily customizable by the user. 
     Accordingly, in one aspect, a water pipe includes a body comprising ice. The body includes a hollowed interior configured for being filled with water and an opening at a side of the body. The water pipe further includes a base coupled to a bottom of the body, a mouth piece coupled to a top of the body, and a grommet coupled to an opening at the side of the body. The grommet is further coupled to a hollowed stem inserted into the opening at the side of the body. 
     In another aspect, an apparatus for making a water pipe includes an outer concentric sheath and an inner concentric sheath. The outer concentric sheath and the inner concentric sheath forming an interior space. The water pipe further includes a bottom connecting a bottom of the outer concentric sheath and a bottom of the inner concentric sheath. An outside sleeve coupled to the outer concentric sheath over an opening of the outer concentric sheath. The outside sleeve is positioned at an angle with the outer concentric sheath. The water pipe further includes an inside rib coupled to the inner concentric sheath over an opening of the inner concentric sheath. The inside rib is position at an angle with the inner concentric sheath and in alignment with the outside sleeve. 
     In yet another aspect, a method of making a water pipe includes inserting a base into an interior space of a water pipe mold. The interior space includes a space between an outer concentric sheath and an inner concentric sheath of the water pipe mold. The method further includes inserting a core pin into an opening of the outer concentric sheath and an opening of the inner concentric sheath, filling the interior space with water, inserting a mouth piece into the interior space over the water, and freezing the water. 
     Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of exemplary embodiments and implementations, including the preferred mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. The present invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary view of a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2E  illustrate exemplary views of a water pipe mold according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate exemplary views of a grommet for a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate exemplary views of a stand for a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate exemplary views of a mouth piece for a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure can provide a number of advantages depending on the particular aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure. 
     The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. 
     The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably. 
     It shall be understood that the term “means,” as used herein, shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves. 
     The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure are possible, utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to an embodiment of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary view of a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     Water pipe  100  includes a body  110 , a grommet  120 , a mouth piece  140 , and a stand  130 . In an embodiment, the body  110  is formed from ice (frozen water) or other suitable materials. The grommet  120 , the stand  130 , and the mouth piece  140  may be formed partly or wholly from plastic, silicone, metal, or other suitable materials. 
     The operation of the water pipe  100  is as follows. 
     In an embodiment, the water pipe  100  is formed through a molding process (i.e., by water pipe mold  200  as will be discussed with respect to  FIGS. 2A-2E ). The mouth piece  120 , the stand  130 , and the grommet  120  are assembled to the body  110  during the molding process or in the subsequent assembly step using a freezer. In a preferred embodiment, the water pipe  100  may be stored in the freezer until the user is ready to use the water pipe  100 . 
     When the user is ready to use the water pipe  100 , the body  100  is filled with water, up to a height below the top of the grommet  120  so that the water will not spill from the grommet  120 . In an embodiment, tobacco or other herbal substances may be placed near the top of the grommet  120 . The tobacco or other herbal substances is lighted, and a user may inhale through the top opening of the water pipe. As such, the smoke of the tobacco or the other herbal substances is drawn through the stem into the water inside the water pipe body and up the water pipe to be inhaled by the user. In another embodiment, a further container that has openings at the bottom that allow smoke to enter the grommet  120  may be placed on top of the grommet  120 , where the container would hold the tobacco or the other herbal substances. 
     Through the use of the water pipe  100 , the smoke from the lit tobacco or other herbal substances is chilled by the interior walls of the body  110  and filtered by the water in the body  110  as the smoke passes from the grommet  120  through the body  110  to be inhaled by the user through the mouth piece  130 . 
     In an embodiment, the walls of the body  110  may further include flavored scents or other items (e.g., fruits, spices, and other items) frozen or in other ways connected to the ice wall of the body  100 . As such, when the smoke from the tobacco or other herbal substances passes upward through the body  110 , the flavor from these scents and other items may also get mixed with the smoke, thereby enabling the user to inhale the mixture of these scents and smoke, increasing the novelty and enjoyment value of the user from the user of the water pipe  100 . 
       FIGS. 2A-2E  illustrate exemplary views of a water pipe mold according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , the water pipe mold  200  is configured to allow a user or other persons to make a water pipe (e.g., water pipe  100 ) by filling the mold with freezable liquid (e.g., water). The water pipe mold  200  includes an outer concentric sheath  210 , an inner concentric sheath  211 , a base  240 , a grip rib  230 , an outside sleeve  220 , and an inside rib  260 . 
     The outer concentric sheath  210  and the inner concentric sheath  211  forms an interior space  250  by which water is filled within the interior space  250  in the molding process. The interior space  250  is closed at the bottom by base  240  between the outer concentric sheath  210  and the inner concentric sheath  211 . The space  245  enclosed by the inner concentric sheath  211  is not used in the molding process. This space  245  may be further closed at the bottom by a seal  242  or may be left open. In an embodiment, the base  240  may be flat for allowing unsupported placement of the water pipe mold  200  on various surfaces (e.g., on counter tops and in the freezer during the molding process). When the water pipe  100  is formed by the molding process using the water pipe mold  200 , the space  245  corresponds to the interior of the water pipe  100  within the body  110  and may be filled with water during use of the water pipe  100 . 
     The water pipe mold  200  further includes a concentric grip rib  230  at the top extending from the outer edge of the outer concentric sheath  210 . The grip rib  230  may be a relatively wide and circular rib configured for facilitating a person picking up and moving the water pipe mold  200  by holding the grip rib  230  when the water pipe mold  200  is filled with water. 
     The water pipe mold  200  may be made of plastic, metal, silicone, or other suitable material. In an embodiment, the water pipe mold  200  may be made by casting silicone rubber (e.g., cast medical grade USP class VI and FDA approved silicone rubber) and may be non-rigid (e.g., flexible). The wide and circular shape of the grip rib  230  may also help increases durability of the water pipe mold  200  that is made from non-rigid material. In an embodiment, the water pipe mold  200  may be formed by molding, pressing, or other type forming process as known now or may be later derived and may be formed as one piece including the outer concentric sheath  210 , the inner concentric sheath  211 , the base  240 , the grip rib  230 , the outside sleeve  220 , and the inside rib  260   
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2E , the water pipe mold  200  further includes the outside sleeve  220  extending at an angle from an opening on the outside of the outer concentric sheath  210 . As such, the outside sleeve  220  may serve as a protection and a guide for the insertion of a core pin  290  into the interior space  250  from the opening by the outside sleeve  220 . 
     In the interior space  250 , the water pipe mold  200  also includes the inside rib  260  that is in alignment with the outside sleeve  220  in a position and angle such that the core pin  290  may be inserted through the opening by the outside sleeve  220  into the interior space  250  and into the space of the inside rib  260 . The inside rib  260  may be formed in the space  245  from a similar opening beyond the inner concentric sheath  211 . In an embodiment, the inside rib  260  is sealed from the space  245  at the end of the inside rib  260 . 
     In an embodiment, both the outside sleeve  220  and the inside rib  260  are configured to create a water tight seal with the core pin  290  is inserted into both spaces, such that water will not leak from the outside sleeve  220  out of the water pipe mold  200  and from the inside rib  260  out of the space  245 . For example, the outside sleeve  220  and the inside rib  260  may be formed from an elastic material, such as silicone rubber material (i.e., formed with silicone rubber material along with the other parts of the water pipe mold  220  as one piece) that includes some stretching (and constricting) property that helps seal water leaks. Further, the length of the outside sleeve  220  and the inside rib  260 , due to the angled orientation, may provide further surface area for the core pin  290  to contact and interface with the surface of both parts, thereby increasing the surface area by which a water-tight seal may develop. Similarly, the extension of the outside sleeve  220  away from the outer concentric sheath  210  and the inside rib  260  away from the inner concentric sheath  211  also increases the surface by which a water-tight seal may develop with the core pin  290 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2E , the core pin  290  is dimensioned and configured to be inserted into the water pipe mold  200  through the opening by the outside sleeve  220  into the interior space  250  and into the space of the inside rib  260 , such that the insertion of the core pin  290  would create a water-tight seal in the openings of the outside sleeve  220  and the inside rib  260 . 
     When the core pin  290  is inserted into the water pipe mold  200 , the space occupied by the core pin  290  would be where the stem portion (e.g., the grommet  120 ) would occupy in the formed water pipe  100 . The core pin  290  is inserted into the water pipe mold  200  passing through the outer concentric sheath  210  and the inner concentric sheath  211 , creating a feature that ice can form around when frozen. When the ice is frozen around the core pin  290 , the core pin  290  is able to be removed from the water pipe mold  200 , and the shape created by the core pin  290  allows standard hardware of a water pipe to be used for assembling the water pipe. 
     In an embodiment, the core pin  290  may be made of a core and surface of different materials and may be manufactured in two processes. For example, the core pin  290  may be made of rigid core (e.g., hard plastic) and surfaced by an elastic material (e.g., silicone rubber) casted around the rigid core. The rigid provides rigidity to the core pin  290  for shape conformance without bending when the core pin  290  is inserted into the angled opening of the outside sleeve  220  of the water pipe mold  200 . The outer surface of the core pin  290  may be made from an elastic material (e.g., similar to silicone rubber of the water pipe mold  200 ) such that the interface and contact between the water pipe mold  200  (e.g., the outside sleeve  220  and the inside rib  260 ) may form a water-tight seal through the compression of the material. In another embodiment, the core pin  290  may be made of one or more materials that offer similar properties of a combination of rigidity and elasticity. 
     In a method of using the water pipe mold  200  to create a water pipe, a mouth piece (e.g., mouth piece  140 ), which acts as a mouth piece for the user the breath through in the formed water pipe, is first inserted into an empty water pipe mold  200 . Next, the core pin  290  is inserted into the outside sleeve  220  and the inside rib  260  as discussed above. Then, the interior space  250  is filled with water. A base (e.g., base  130 ), which acts as a base for the formed water pipe, is used to cover the top of the water pipe mold  200 , and the entire set up is frozen (e.g., put into a freezer). As such, the formed water pipe is in a correspondingly upside-down orientation with the water pipe mold  200 . When enough time has passed that the water in the interior space  250  is completely frozen, the water pipe mold  200  is removed from the freezer. 
     To remove the frozen water pipe from the water pipe mold  200 , running water, hot water, or other means may be used to melt a thin layer of the exterior portion of the water pipe contacting the outer surfaces of the water pipe mold  200  (e.g., the outer concentric sheath  210  and the inner concentric sheath  211 ). Once a thin layer of the exterior portion of the water pipe has melted, various portions of the water pipe mold  200  should be able to be removed from the water pipe easily. The core pin  290  is removed first, then the water pipe is removed from the interior space  250 . In an embodiment, the water pipe mold  200  is flexible and will aid this process by being able to be pushed or squeezed to release the frozen water pipe. 
     In an embodiment, various artwork, design, and other materials affecting the smell, taste, flavor, and aesthetics of the water pipe may be added at different steps of the water pipe creation process. For example, after the water pipe mold  200  is filled with water, coloring (e.g., food coloring) may be added to the water to create water pipes of various colors. In another example, various scents (e.g., perfume), flavors (e.g., spices), food (e.g., sliced fruits), and other ingredients may be added to the water to customize the smell, taste, flavor, and aesthetics of the created water pipe. In yet another example, other novelty items (e.g., coins, gems, and other items) may be added to the water in order to create customized water pipe that is aesthetically enjoyable (i.e., sparkle when used in certain lighting environment). 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate exemplary views of a grommet for a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C , the grommet  120  includes a concaved oval portion  310  and an opening  320  configured for the insertion of a stem  390 . The opening  320  is configured to enclose the opening in a water pipe corresponding to the opening of the outer sleeve  220  when the stem  390  is fitted into the water pipe. The stem  390  is configured to fit through the opening  310  into the water pipe (e.g., into the body  110 ). 
     The grommet  120  may be made of the same materials as discussed with respect to the water pipe mold  200  or may be made of other materials. In an embodiment, the grommet  120  may be made from flexible materials (e.g., silicone rubber) such that the grommet  120  may stretch to form an air-tight seal with the opening at the exterior of the water pipe. For example, the concaved oval portion  310  of the grommet  120  allows the grommet  120  to hug the contour of the exterior of the water pipe even as the ice melts. As such, the concaved oval portion  310  keeps the grommet  120  in air-tight seal with the water pipe even after the ice is well into its melting cycle and significant deformation has occurred. 
     In an embodiment, the grommet  120  may be prepared and assembled with the water pipe as follows. The opening  320  of the grommet  120  is inserted with the stem  390 , which is inserted into the body of the water pipe through the opening in a water pipe corresponding to the opening of the outer sleeve  220 . As such, the concaved oval portion  310  sits on top of the opening of the water pipe. Next, the water pipe is re-frozen with the grommet  120  and the stem  390  inserted. As such, the grommet is allows to be sealed by frozen ice with the water pipe. 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate exemplary views of a stand for a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4C , the base  130  includes a stand portion  410 , opening  420 , pass through fingers  430 , and triangular ribs  440 . The base  130  is configured to insulate the user from the coldness of the ice portions of the water pipe when handling the water pipe by providing an insulated surface that the user can hold and handle. As such, the base  130  may be made from relatively insulating or other materials, such as plastic, silicone, rubber, or other materials. 
     As discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 2A-2E , the base  130  is inserted into the top of the water pipe mold  200  after the water pipe mold  200  is filled with water. The base  130  is inserted in an orientation such that the pass through fingers  430  face the water in the water pipe mold  200 . 
     The pass through fingers  430  are designed as shut off surfaces for single pull injection molding tool. As such, when the water is frozen, the pass through fingers  430  allow the ice to form around the undercut of the pass through fingers  430 . Because the pass through fingers  430  are designed as shut off surfaces, the ice can expand into the remaining cavity of the base  130 , thereby preventing damages to parts of the base  130  when the ice is frozen over it. Further, the pass through fingers  430  may act to further secure the ice when the ice is formed over the base  130 . Similar to the shut off surfaces, the opening  420  also allows any overflow water to be frozen in the opening  420 . 
     In an embodiment, the triangular ribs  440  are provided in the inside cavity of the base  130 . The triangular ribs  440  help to provide strength to the base  130  (e.g., for holding and handling by the user) and to help relief stress from long time use and abuse. 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate exemplary views of a month piece for a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5B , the mouth piece  140  includes a top  520 , an underside body  530 , and one or more pass through fingers  510 . The mouth piece is configured to provide a surface from which to support the user&#39;s mouth when the user is inhaling from the water pipe and to protect the user&#39;s mouth from the coldness of the ice of the water pipe. In an embodiment, the top  520  is configured to provide a smooth surface for supporting the user&#39;s mouth (or skin) As such, the mouth piece  140  may be made from plastic, silicone, rubber, or other suitable materials. 
     In an embodiment, the pass through fingers  510  are not designed as shut off surfaces (unlike the pass through fingers  430  of base  130 ) because the top  520  needs to retain the smooth surface for the contact with the user&#39;s mouth. However, the pass through fingers  510  may serve similar functions as pass through fingers  430  in that they help contact and bond with the ice for proper bonding of the water pipe. 
     As discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 2A-2E , the mouth piece  140  is inserted into the top of the water pipe mold  200  before the water pipe mold  200  is filled with water. The mouth piece  140  is inserted in an orientation such the top  520  faces the bottom of the water pipe mold  200  and the pass through fingers  510  face the water in the water pipe mold  200  when filled. 
     In an embodiment, the underside body  530  may be a cored out body. Similar to the pass through fingers  510 , the cored out body helps to further secure and bond with the ice of the water pipe by allowing the ice to fill the inside the cored out body. Further, the cored out body helps to prevent a gap emerging from between the mouth piece and the water pipe with bonded. 
     The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure have been described in relation to the tracking system. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure, the preceding description omits a number of known structures and devices. This omission is not to be construed as a limitation of the scopes of the claims. Specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. It should however be appreciated that the present disclosure may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific detail set forth herein. 
     A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of the disclosure without providing others. 
     Although the present disclosure describes components and functions implemented in the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations with reference to particular standards and protocols, the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations are not limited to such standards and protocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are in existence and are considered to be included in the present disclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein and other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are periodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents having essentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents included in the present disclosure. 
     The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments, subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation. 
     The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Moreover, though the description has included a description of one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.