Patent Publication Number: US-2022212594-A1

Title: Latching device and method for automatic securement of a container to a container chassis

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application incorporates by reference co-owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,387,792, 9,463,732, and 9,802,526, each entitled “Latching System for Automatic Securement of a Container to a Container Chassis” by John J. Lanigan, Sr., et al., co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,340,146, entitled “Front Pin Latching System for Automatic Securement of a Container to a Container Chassis” by John J. Lanigan, Sr., et al., and co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Systems and Method for Securement of a Container to a Vehicle Having a Brake System” by James T. Russo. 
    
    
     REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     SEQUENTIAL LISTING 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present subject matter relates generally to latching devices, and more particularly, to container latches for a container chassis. 
     2. Description of the Background of the Disclosure 
     In a conventional container chassis used for transporting a container, the container is secured to the container chassis by two latches spaced apart at each of the two front corners and two latches spaced apart at each of the two rear corners of the container chassis. In one design these latches are manually operated by the driver or other personnel. The rear latches may have a twist lock that is inserted into the bottom of the corner castings of a container. The twist lock may be operated by a lever to move the twist lock between an unlatched position and a latched position. The front latches of a conventional chassis that is 40 to 53 feet in length may have locking pins that extend horizontally into openings of the corner castings of the container. The front of a conventional chassis that is 20 feet in length may utilize a twist lock and manual lever rather than the locking pins. 
     Such conventional latching devices are manually operated by the chassis driver or other personnel when a container is placed on a chassis. Subsequently, the conventional latching devices are manually unlocked before the container is removed from the chassis. In this regard, the driver or other personnel may improperly or incompletely lock or unlock the latching devices, which may cause improper loading/unloading of the container to/from the chassis and/or create the potential for shifting of or losing a container during road transport. 
     In the railway transportation industry, a container is typically secured to the four corners of a railcar using a swing-type latch. Two swing-type latches spaced apart at each of the two front corners and two swing-type latches spaced apart at each of the two rear corners of the railcar secure the container thereto. Similar to the twist lock latch of a container chassis, the swing-type latches of the railcar enter openings along the bottom surface of each corner casting of the container. Unlike the twist lock latch, the swing-type latch is continuously biased into position by a spring. As the container is placed on the railcar, the latch is pushed back against the spring until the latch clears the bottom surface of the corner casting. The latch is designed such that a significant force must be applied against the latch to remove the container from the railcar. A container weight of approximately 700 lbs. may be required to load the container onto the railcar, and a force of approximately 2,000 lbs., for example, may be necessary to remove the container from the railcar. 
     Co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,340,146 incorporated by reference herein discloses a front pin latching system for automatic securement of a container to a container chassis. The front pin latching system includes a shelf configured to move vertically on an outer surface of the container chassis. The shelf and the container chassis have adjacent openings. The system also includes a pin configured to move horizontally through the adjacent openings and a linkage mechanism disposed on an inner surface of the container chassis. The linkage mechanism is operably coupled to the shelf and the pin. Placement of the container on the container chassis moves the shelf causing the linkage mechanism to move the pin such that the pin automatically secures the container to the container chassis. 
     Co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,387,792 incorporated by reference herein discloses a latching system for automatic securement of a container to a container chassis. The latching system includes an actuation device disposed on an upper surface of the container chassis, a linkage mechanism disposed below the upper surface, and a connector positioned on a further surface elevated above the upper surface. Placement of the container on the container chassis actuates the actuation device causing the linkage mechanism to move the connector and automatically secure the container to the container chassis. 
     Co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,463,732 incorporated by reference herein discloses a latching system for automatic securement of a container to a container chassis. The latching system includes an actuation device that extends through a surface of the container chassis, a linkage mechanism disposed below the surface, and a latch coupled to a pivot. The latch is positioned above the surface of the container chassis. Placement of the container on the container chassis actuates the actuation device causing the linkage mechanism to move the latch such that the latch automatically secures the container to the container chassis. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect, a container retention device comprises a housing and an actuator having a first portion disposed in the housing and a second portion movable between a first position inside the housing to a second position outside the housing. The device further comprises a first link assembly in the housing engageable by the first portion of the actuator and movable in response to movement of the second portion between the first and second positions. Also, a second link assembly is disposed in the housing having a third portion engageable by the first link, a fourth portion, and a fifth portion disposed between the third portion and the fourth portion wherein the third portion and the fourth portion are rotatable about the fifth portion in response to movement of the first link assembly. A locking member is extendable outside the housing in response to movement of the second portion to the first position. 
     According to another aspect a container retention device comprises a housing and an actuator having a first portion disposed in the housing and a second portion movable between a first position inside the housing to a second position outside the housing. The device further comprises a first link assembly in the housing engageable by the first portion of the actuator and movable in response to movement of the second portion between the first and second positions. A second link assembly is disposed in the housing having a third portion engageable by the first link, a fourth portion, and a fifth portion disposed between the third portion and the fourth portion wherein the fifth portion is pivotably coupled to an anchor plate that is stationary with respect to the housing and the third portion and the fourth portion are rotatable about the fifth portion in response to movement of the first link assembly. The device still further comprises a latch having a locking member movable to a position outside the housing in response to movement of the second portion to the first position and the second link assembly comprises a slot defined by walls engaged by a bearing set coupled to the latch. A shaft is carried by the latch and a further set of bearings is mounted on the shaft wherein the further set of bearings engages a racetrack-shaped surface of a member secured to the housing. 
     According to yet another aspect, a container retention method comprises the steps of disposing an actuator having a first portion in the housing and a second portion movable between a first position inside the housing to a second position outside the housing and disposing a first link assembly in the housing engageable by the first portion of the actuator and movable in response to movement of the second portion between the first and second positions. Further, a second link assembly is disposed in the housing having a third portion engageable by the first link, a fourth portion, and a fifth portion disposed between the third portion and the fourth portion wherein the third portion and the fourth portion are rotatable about the fifth portion in response to movement of the first link assembly. Also, a locking member is provided that is extendable from a third position inside the housing to a fourth position outside the housing in response to movement of the fourth portion. The method further comprises the step of moving a container into contact with the second portion of the actuator while the second portion is disposed at the second position and the locking member is disposed at the third position to move the second portion toward the first position such that the first link assembly rotates the second link assembly about the fifth portion and the fourth portion moves the locking member to the fourth position. 
     Other aspects and advantages will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the attached drawings wherein like numerals designate like structures throughout the specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a container chassis incorporating container retention devices operative to secure a container thereto; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are exploded, fragmentary, isometric front and rear views, respectively, of the front container retention devices of  FIG. 1  and the container; 
         FIGS. 4-6  are bottom rear, top front, and top side fragmentary isometric views, respectively, of one of the container retention devices of  FIG. 2  shown in an unlatched state; 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are top rear and top side isometric views, respectively, of one of the container retention devices of  FIG. 2  shown in a latching state; 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are combined isometric sectional and elevational sectional views taken generally along the lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken generally along the lines  11 - 11  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the actuator of  FIGS. 4-6 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a fragmentary isometric view of the container retention device of  FIGS. 4-8  with portions removed therefrom to reveal interior components; 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken generally along the lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the lines  15 - 15  of  FIG. 7  before movement toward the latching position; 
         FIG. 16  is a fragmentary isometric view of the container retention device of  FIGS. 4-8  with portions removed therefrom to reveal interior components; 
         FIG. 17  is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 7  before movement toward the latching position; and 
         FIG. 18  is a simplified fragmentary sectional view, taken generally along the lines  18 - 18  of  FIG. 2 , of the container latched to the chassis by the container retention device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various latching devices for use with a container chassis are described herein. As seen, such devices allow for the automatic latching and unlatching of an empty, filled, or partially filled container to and from a container chassis. In the drawings, like reference numerals connote like structures throughout. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a container chassis  50  includes container latching devices to secure a container  52  thereto. More particularly, a pair of front latching structures  54  comprising spaced first or driver side and second or passenger side front container retention devices  54   a ,  54   b , respectively, is disposed at a front portion  56  of the chassis  50 , preferably at or adjacent associated front corners  58 ,  60  of the chassis  50 . Particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, the devices  54   a    54   b  are integral with or secured (such as by welds) to outboard ends of a transverse head beam  61  of the chassis  50 . Alternatively, the devices  54   a ,  54   b  may be integrated within the outboard ends of a transverse head beam  61  of the chassis  50 . A pair of rear latching structures  62  ( FIG. 1 ) comprising spaced first or driver side and second or passenger side rear container retention devices  64   a ,  64   b , respectively, is provided on a rear portion  65  of the chassis  50 , preferably at or adjacent associated rear corners  66 ,  68  of the chassis  50 . As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the container  52  includes front and rear pairs of castings  70 ,  72 , respectively, wherein the front pair  70  comprises a first or driver side front casting  70   a  and a second or passenger side front casting  70   b . The rear pair  72  comprises a first or driver side rear casting  72   a  and a second or passenger side rear casting  72   b . The castings  70   a ,  70   b ,  72   a ,  72   b  are preferably disposed at or adjacent front and rear corners  74   a ,  74   b ,  76   a ,  76   b , respectively, of the container  52 . 
     Each of the castings  70   a ,  70   b ,  72   a ,  72   b  may include a first or bottom opening  80   a ,  80   b ,  82   a ,  82   b , respectively. In addition, each of the castings  70   a ,  70   b  may include forward-facing openings  84   a ,  84   b  while each of the castings  72   a ,  72   b  may include rearwardly-facing openings  86   a ,  86   b , respectively. Each of the castings  70 ,  72  may include a lesser or greater number of openings, for example, openings may be provided on side surfaces thereof or the front castings  70   a ,  70   b  may include only the forward facing openings  84   a ,  84   b , respectively. In any event, each casting  70 ,  72  has at least a necessary number of properly-positioned openings such that, when the container  52  is disposed on the chassis  50 , one or more portions of the container retention devices  54   a ,  54   b ,  64   a ,  64   b  extend into one or more of the casting openings  80 ,  82 ,  84 , and/or  86  to allow securement of the container  52  to the chassis  50  as described hereinafter. 
     The container chassis  50  shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 1  may have a length of 40 to 53 feet, for example. Differently-sized containers may be accommodated on the chassis  50  by providing a greater number of container latching devices and/or castings as required to secure the container  52  in a stable fashion. Still further, a container chassis having a length of 20 feet (not shown) may alternatively utilize the latching arrangements described herein in the rear and/or front portions of the container chassis. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the front container retention devices  54   a ,  54   b  are mirror images of one another, but are preferably otherwise identical, and hence, only the driver side retention device  54   a  will be described in detail herein. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 4-6 , the retention device  54   a  includes a housing  100  having an elongate slot  102  that extends fully through the housing  100  and further extends linearly from a first wall  104  through a corner  106  to a second wall  107  of the housing  100 . The housing  100  encloses a retention mechanism  108  therein. 
     The retention mechanism  108  comprises an actuator  120  (seen in detail in  FIG. 12 ) having an approximate L-shape including first and second legs  112 ,  114 , respectively, and first and second openings  116 ,  118  disposed at an end portion  121  and a heel portion  122 , respectively. As best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the end portion  121  is disposed between a clevis formed by pair of aligned anchors  124 ,  126  and is rotatably secured therebetween by a pin  130  and snap or lock ring  132 . Referring also to  FIGS. 13-17 , the second opening  118  (best seen in  FIG. 15 ) receives a pin  134  and a spacer  136  bears against the heel portion  122 . The pin  134  extends through aligned cross-openings  138 ,  139  in first and second link halves  140 ,  142 , respectively, (all best seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 ) wherein the link halves together define a first portion  144  of a first link assembly  146  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) (the link half  140  and other structures are omitted in  FIG. 13  to illustrate the internal structures of the portion  144 ). Opposed snap or lock rings  147   a ,  147   b  disposed on ends of the pin  134  rotatably secure the link halves  140 ,  142  to the spacer  136  and the heel portion  122 . A proximal end  148  of a longitudinal cylindrical shaft  149  ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ) is slidably disposed in a cross bore  150  extending through the shaft  137  and extends toward a second portion  156  of the first link assembly  146 . 
     A first tube  160  is disposed in a recess  162  ( FIGS. 5, 6, 13, and 14 ) defined by upper flanges  164   a    166   a  and lower flanges  164   b ,  166   b  ( FIG. 15 ) of the link halves  140 ,  142 . The first tube  160  is retained in the recess  162  in any suitable fashion, such as by being captured between the flanges  164  and  166 . In a preferred embodiment, the first tube  160  is welded to the flanges  164  and  166 . Also, in alternative embodiments, the flanges  164  and  166  are either a single, integral flange, or are welded together and/or together may partially or fully encircle the first tube  160 . A first end  167  ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ) of a spring  168  is received in the first tube  160  and surrounds the shaft  149 . 
     The second portion  156  of the first link  146  is substantially a mirror image of the first portion  144  and includes first and second link halves  170 ,  172  that define the second portion  156  and a second tube  174  disposed and retained in any suitable fashion (such as noted above with respect to the first tube  160 ) between upper flanges  176   a ,  178   a  and lower flanges  176   b  and  178   b  of the link halves  170 ,  172 , wherein a second end  180  ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ) of the spring  168  is disposed in the second tube  174  and may be compressed between end surfaces of the tubes  160 ,  174 . Unlike the first portion  144 , a distal end  182  of the shaft  149  is immovably secured and retained in a bore  184  defined between the link halves  170 ,  172 . 
     A second link assembly  200  includes spaced second link assembly arms  202 ,  204  that are secured together at lower ends  202   a ,  204   a  thereof by a pin  206  with a distal end  212  of the second portion  156  of the first link  146  being disposed between and rotatable with respect to the second link assembly arms  202 ,  204 . In the illustrated embodiment the pin  206  is press fitted and welded to assembly arm  204 . A snap or lock ring  208  secures the arms  202 ,  204  together at a proximal end of the pin  206 , wherein the pin  206  includes a groove  214  proximate the assembly arm  202 . A return spring  216  includes a first end  216   a  that is wrapped over the pin  206  inside the groove  214  and a second end  216   b  of the spring  216  is secured to an anchor tab  218  integral with or secured to the housing  100 . In an alternate embodiment, the assembly arm  202  may be omitted and the pin  206  is press fitted and/or welded to the assembly arm  204 . As in the previous embodiment, the first end  216   a  of the return spring  216  is wrapped over the pin  206  inside the groove  214  and a second end  216   b  of the spring  216  is secured to the anchor tab  218 . A distal end  212  of the second portion  156  of the first link is rotatable with respect to the second link assembly arm  204 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 14, 16, and 17 , a mid-portion  204   b  of the link assembly arm  204  is rotatably secured to an anchor plate  220  by a pin  222 , a spacer  224 , and a snap or lock ring  226 . The anchor plate  220  may be integral with or secured to the housing  100  and is stationary with respect to the housing  100 . Similar to the pin  206 , a proximal end of pin  222  is press fitted within and welded to assembly arm  204 , and a distal end of the pin  222  passes through the anchor plate  220  and the spacer  224  and is secured by a snap or lock ring  226 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 5 and 6  (which illustrate the container retention device in an unlatched state) and  FIGS. 9 and 10  (which illustrate the container retention device in the process of moving toward a fully latched state), each of upper ends  202   c ,  204   c  of the second link assembly arms  202 ,  204  includes elongate slots  202   d ,  204   d  that receive an elongate circular cylindrical shaft  230  that is immovably mounted in a bore  232   FIG. 9 ) disposed near a first end  234  of a latch  236 . First and second bearings sets  238  and  240  are disposed between an outer surface  242  of the shaft  230  and inner surfaces that define the slots  202   d ,  204   d , respectively. The bearings  238  and  240  as well as a further or third set of bearings  244  are held at spaced axial locations on the shaft  230  by spacers  246   a - 246   d  and snap or lock rings  248   a ,  248   b . The third set of bearings  244  includes an outer race that contacts and rides on and/or along a racetrack-shaped surface  250  defining a slot of a longitudinal member  252  mounted to opposite front and rear sides of the housing  100 . 
     The latch  236  includes a bore  254  ( FIGS. 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, and 14 ), that may extend partially or fully through the latch  236 . A selectively controllable actuation mechanism  260 , ( FIGS. 4-6, 9, and 10 ) which may be a hydraulic piston and cylinder device, a solenoid, or another controllable motive power device, includes an actuator plunger  261  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ) that is movable into and retractable from the bore  254 , as noted in greater detail below. The latch  236  further includes a locking member  262  ( FIGS. 4, 9, and 10 ) that may be integral with the balance of the latch or may be secured thereto. The latch  236  and/or locking member  262  extend through a cylindrical collar  256  ( FIGS. 9 and 10  as well as other FIGS.) that is joined to or integral with the housing  100  and that provides support for the latch and/or locking member  262 . 
     In operation, before a container  52  is placed on the chassis  50 , the various elements of the container retention device  54   a  are in the positions shown in  FIGS. 4-6 and 13-17 . Thus, the actuator  120  is disposed in a fully extended position outside of the housing  100 . In this state, the return spring  216  exerts a restraining force on the second link assembly  200 , which causes the second link assembly  200  to be positioned at an extreme clockwise position (as seen in  FIG. 6 ) about the shaft  230 . Such positioning causes the latch  236 , and thus the locking member  262 , to assume a fully retracted position within the housing. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-6 , as a container  52  is lowered and/or brought from the rear toward the container retention device  54   a , a lower surface or front surface of the container  52  contacts an end surface  112   a  or a top surface  112   b  of the leg  112  of the actuator  120 , thereby exerting a force on the actuator  120  having a component in a directional range at or between approximate directions represented by force vectors F 1  and F 2  shown in  FIG. 6 . Continued advancement of the container  52  in such manner causes the actuator  120  to pivot downwardly and inwardly relative to the housing  100  in the direction of an arrow  270  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) about the pin  130 . The shape of the actuator  120  and the rotatable connection of the actuator  120  with the first portion  144  via the pin  134  results in translation of the first portion  144  along a path shown by the arrow  272  of  FIG. 6  that is substantially parallel to a path traversed by the actuator  120 . 
     Movement of the first portion  144  along the path illustrated by the arrow  272  causes forces to be transferred to the second portion  156  of the first link assembly  146 . In this regard, the spring  168  is sufficiently stiff to transmit forces effectively to the second portion  156  to move the latter in the direction of the arrow  272  when the latch  236  and locking member  262  are free to extend. On the other hand, the spring  168  is sufficiently compliant to compress and take up motion and limit forces transmitted to the second portion  156  when the latch  236  and locking member  262  are unable to move in the extension direction as a result of, for example, misalignment of the locking member  262  relative to the front opening  84   a  of the casting  72   a  resulting in blocking of the locking member  262 . In this regard, the longitudinal shaft  149  prevents the spring  168  from winding up on itself when the latter is compressed. 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 7, 8 and 11 , movement of the second portion  156  in the direction of the arrow  272  causes the second link assembly  200  to rotate about the pin  222  in a counterclockwise direction (as seen in  FIG. 11 ). Such rotation initially causes the bearings  238  and  240  seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10  to move down in the elongate slots  202   d ,  204   d  and the bearings  244  to move to the left in the slot  251  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The bearings  238 ,  240  eventually move upwardly in the slots  202   d ,  204   d , respectively, as the bearings  244  continue to move to the left in the slot  251 . The latch  236  and locking member  262  are carried by the second link assembly  200 , if not blocked or prevented by movement as noted above. Eventually, the locking member  262  moves to a fully extended position through the opening  84   a  into the casting  70   a  when the container  52  is fully seated on the chassis  50 . The shapes and sizes of the surfaces  202   e ,  204   e , and  250  defining the slots  202   d ,  204   d , and  251 , respectively, and the diameters of the outer races of the bearings  238 ,  240 , and  244  are selected to ensure smooth operation of the retention device  54   a.    
     A seen in  FIG. 18 , the relative sizes of the locking member  262  and the opening  84   a  and the space inside the casting  70   a  results in secure retention of the respective corner of the container  52  on the chassis  50 . Referring again to  FIGS. 4-10  at such time, the actuation mechanism  260  may be automatically or selectively operated to move the plunger  261  into the bore  254 . In one embodiment, the actuation mechanism  260  is spring-loaded so that when the bore  254  moves into alignment with the plunger  261 , the actuation mechanism  260  automatically moves the plunger  261  under spring force into the bore  254 . In another embodiment, the actuation mechanism  260  is operated by a control device (not shown) to extend the plunger  261  into the bore  254 , and thereby lock the container  52  to the chassis  50  until released as noted below. 
     The other retention device  54   a  operates in the same manner to secure the remaining front casting  70   b , and hence, the remaining front corner of the container  52 , automatically to the chassis  50  when the container  52  is moved into engagement therewith. 
     The rear castings  72   a ,  72   b  may be locked to the chassis  50  by the container retention devices  64   a ,  64   b , which may be of the type disclosed in co-owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,387,792, 9,463,732, 9,802,526, and/or 9,340,146 incorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, rear container retention devices could be used to secure the rear corners of the container  52  to the chassis  50  that are identical or similar to the front container retention devices  54   a ,  54   b  with the exception that the rear retention devices include forwardly extending latches and locking members, as opposed to the rearwardly extending latches and locking members of the retention devices  54   a ,  54   b.    
     The retention devices  54   a ,  54   b  (and remaining retention devices) may be selectively released from the container  52  by operating the actuation mechanisms  260  to retract the plungers  261  (or other structures) from the bores  254 . Such operation may be undertaken automatically when a condition arises, such as locking of vehicle brakes, or may be undertaken manually when a pressurized fluid is applied to or exhausted from the mechanism  260  when a fluidic device is used therefor, or when electric power is supplied to or removed from the mechanism  260  when a solenoid is used as the mechanism  260 , or when a handle (not shown) is used to extend and/or retract the plunger  261  whether a spring force is or is not applied to the plunger  261 , etc. 
     Preferably, the retention devices  54  are failsafe in nature such that, if there is a loss of fluid pressurization or electrical power that occurs while the chassis  50  is in motion the retention devices  54  maintain the locking member  262  and the arm  261  in the extended positions maintain securement of the container  52  to the container chassis  50 . 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     In summary, the container retention devices  54  automatically secure the container  52  to the chassis  50  when the container  52  is placed on the chassis  50 . The container  52  remains secured to the chassis  50  until selectively released. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar references in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure. 
     Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure.