Patent Publication Number: US-2022227089-A1

Title: Baling machine with containment apparatus

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
     Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57 and should be considered a part of this specification. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field 
     The present invention relates to a baling apparatus or machine for baling a wide range of recyclable materials such as, but not limited to, fiber, paper, old corrugated containers, cardboard, plastic, scrap metals, non-ferrous metals, municipal solid waste into a bale for easier transport and, in particular, concerns a containment apparatus that is improves efficiency of the baling machine and the baling process. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Material waste processing such as scrap metal processing is a well-known form of processing. Generally, bulk quantities of scrap material, such as scrap metal are positioned into a rectangular chamber and are then compressed into a bale shape by a hydraulic ram. In this way, discrete pieces of materials are then formed into a cohesive element that is easier to store and to transport for further processing. 
     Typically, a horizontal baler has a hopper into which the material is deposited. The hopper then feeds into an opening that leads to the compression chamber. The compressing ram then travels into the compression chamber sealing off the opening and the hopper. Typically, the compressing ram and the edge of the opening adjacent the compression chamber define a cutting apparatus that cuts through material that extends out of the opening into the hopper. However, the cutting apparatus can wear out over time and make the baling process less efficient and requiring maintenance. 
     Another difficulty that occurs with horizontal waste processing baling machines is containment of the material in the compression chamber during the baling process. For example, when compressing soft materials such as cotton, the compressing ram travelling into the compression chamber can cause the material to “ride-up” and come out from the compression chamber and back into the hopper section above it. In another example, materials such as metal scraps can be stuck to the walls of the hopper (e.g., “bridging”) and not enter the compression chamber. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a design for baling machines that can provide improved containment of materials, improved baling efficiency, and longer lifespan of the cutting apparatus. In accordance with one aspect, a baling machine having a charging chamber with one or more containment members is provided, thereby providing a compression force that can contain material in the charging chamber during actuation of the compression or gatherer ram. In accordance with one aspect, a baling machine has a hopper that defines an opening in communication with a charging chamber below the hopper. The machine has a pair of pivotable doors, each having a substantially planar surface. The pair of doors configured to move between a retracted position and a deployed position. In the retracted position, the pair of doors are generally upright (e.g., vertical) define at least a portion of the sidewalls of the hopper, allowing communication between the opening and the charging chamber. In the deployed position, the pair of doors are generally horizontal (e.g., perpendicular to a central axis of the hopper) and apply a compression force to material introduced through the hopper into the charging chamber. In the deployed position, the pair of doors contain material in the charging chamber during actuation of the compression or gatherer ram. Advantageously, the pair of doors of the containment apparatus inhibit (e.g., prevent) the ride-up of material from the charging chamber into the hopper, and inhibit (e.g. prevent) bridging of material above the charging chamber (e.g., because the doors force such material down into the charging chamber as the doors are pivoted from the retracted to the deployed position). 
     In accordance with one aspect, a baling machine is provided. The baling machine can include a baling ram assembly, an ejector ram assembly, a charging chamber, and a compaction chamber. The charging chamber can include an opening whereby various materials can be introduced to the charging chamber. The charging chamber can include one or more containment members that are configured to provide compression force to push down and contain the material placed in the charging chamber. The containment members can be hingedly coupled to the hopper and have a first position and a second position. When the containment members are in the first position, first surfaces of the containment members can be flush with an inner surface of the hopper. When the containment members are in the second position, the first surfaces of the containment members can be substantially perpendicular with sidewalls of the charging chamber or parallel with a bottom surface of the charging chamber. Optionally, the containment members have a third position where the first surface of the containment members is beyond an upper boundary of the charging chamber. 
     In accordance with one aspect, a method of baling a material is provided. The method can include placing material in a hopper of a baling machine. The method can include actuating a containment apparatus to cause one or more containment members to apply a first compression force to the material in the hopper. The method can include actuating a baling or gatherer ram to apply a second compression force, to the material in a charging chamber. The method can include actuating an ejecting ram to eject a bale from a compacting or bale chamber. Optionally, the direction of the compression force applied by the containment members can be orthogonal to a plane defined by a bottom surface of the charging chamber. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a top view of a baling machine with a containment apparatus. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of the baling machine of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  is an end view of the baling machine of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1D  is a top view of a baling machine similar to the baling machine of  FIG. 1A , showing additional details of a baling or gatherer ram assembly and an ejector ram assembly of the baling machine. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate cross-sectional side and end views of the baling machine of  FIG. 1A , showing a material hopper and a charge chamber of the baling machine filled with a material in an un-compressed state. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate cross-sectional side and end views of the baling machine of  FIG. 1A , showing the material compressed in the charge chamber. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate cross-sectional side and end views of the baling machine of  FIG. 1A , showing the material compressed by the baling or gatherer ram into a bale. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a method of operating the baling machine of  FIG. 1A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Introduction 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numeral refer to the like parts throughout.  FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate simplified illustrations of a baling machine  100 . As shown, the baling machine  100  can include a baling ram assembly  102 , a power unit  104 , a hopper  150 , a compaction (or bale) chamber  118 , an ejector ram assembly  122 , a control system  140 , and an exit  190 . 
     The control system  140  can be operatively connected to the baling ram assembly  102  and the ejector ram assembly  122  to allow signals be transmitted between the control system  140  and the baling ram assembly  102  and the ejector ram assembly  122 . The control system  140  can be operatively connected to the power unit  104  such that the control system  140  can transmit electronic signals to the power unit  104 , which can be operatively connected to the baling ram assembly  102  and the ejector ram assembly  122 . By transmitting signals to controlling the power unit  104 , the control system  140  can control operations of the baling ram assembly  102  and the ejector ram assembly  122 . 
     The baling ram assembly  102  can be connected to the hopper  150 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the hopper  150  can include a charging chamber  116  and an opening  120  whereby material  250  (for example, materials such as scrap metal, plastic, cotton, cardboard, fiber products, paper, old corrugated containers, non-ferrous metals, municipal solid waste, and the like) can be introduced into the charging chamber  116  (see  FIG. 1D ). Optionally, the hopper  150  is a separate component disposed above the charging chamber  116 . The baling ram assembly  102  can be coupled to the charging chamber  116  such that a portion of the baling ram assembly  102  defines at least a portion of a wall of the charging chamber  116 . 
     The charging chamber  116  can be in communication with the compaction chamber  118  such that the charging chamber  116  and the compaction chamber  118  can define a cavity with a first cross-section. The charging chamber  116  can be interposed between the baling ram assembly  102  and the compaction chamber  118 . The material  250  placed through the opening  120  of the hopper  150  and placed in the charging chamber  116  may be compressed and pushed into the compaction chamber  118  by the baling (or gatherer) ram  108 . The material  250  compacted by the baling ram  108  becomes a bale  254 . The bale  254  can have the approximate dimensions as the compaction chamber  118 . The charging chamber  116  and the compaction (or bale) chamber  118  can have the same or different dimensions. 
     The ejector ram assembly  122  can be coupled to the compaction chamber  118  such that a portion of the ejector ram assembly  122  can form at least a portion of the wall of the compaction chamber  118 . After the baling ram assembly  102  compresses or compacts the material  250  in the charging chamber  116  to form the bale  254  in the compacting chamber  118 , the ejector ram  128  can eject the bale  254  from the compaction (or bale) chamber  118  via the exit  190 . 
       FIG. 1D  illustrates additional details of the baling ram assembly  102  and the ejector ram assembly  122 . The baling ram assembly  102  can include an opening  110  (e.g. cylinder), a baling actuator  106 , and a baling ram  108 . The opening  110  (e.g., cylinder) can define a path of travel of the baling (or gatherer) ram  108 . The opening  110  can be divided into different sections. For example, one section can include a main ram travel section  112  wherein the baling actuator  106  is located, while another section of the opening  110  (e.g., cylinder) can be the charging chamber  116  positioned adjacent the main ram travel section  112 . 
     The baling actuator  106  can cause the baling (or gatherer) ram  108  to travel toward and away from the charging chamber  116  such that the baling ram  108  moves across the charging chamber  116 . As discussed above, the actuation of the baling actuator  106  and subsequent movement of the baling ram  108  can compress the material  250  located inside the charging chamber  116  into the bale  254 . Optionally, it may take more than one compression cycle for the baling ram  208  to compress the material into the bale  254 . In one example, it may take four strokes for the baling ram  208  to compress the material into the bale  254 . Once the baling ram  108  has compressed the material into the bale  254 , the baling actuator  106  can retract the baling ram  108  so that it moves away from the bale and past the charging chamber  116  back into the proximal portion of the opening  110  (or cylinder), allowing additional material to enter the charging chamber  116  via the hopper  120 . The baling actuator  106  can then be actuated again to move forward and compress the material into another bale  254 . 
     The ejector ram assembly  122  can include an opening  130  (e.g., cylinder), an ejector actuator  126 , and an ejector ram  128 . The opening  130  (e.g., cylinder) of the ejector ram assembly  122  can be generally transverse or orthogonal (e.g., perpendicular) to the opening  110  (e.g., cylinder) of the baling ram assembly  102 . The opening  130  can define a path of travel of the ejector ram  128 . The ejector ram  128  can divide the opening  130  into sections. For example, the ejector ram  128  can define an ejector ram travel section  132  wherein the ejector actuator  126  is located and the compaction (or bale) chamber  118  positioned adjacent the ejector ram travel section. 
     The ejector ram assembly  122  can be positioned such that the baling ram assembly  102  and the ejector ram assembly  122  are substantially perpendicular with respect to each other. Optionally, the ejector ram assembly  122  and the baling ram assembly  102  can form an angle, where the angle can be between about 20 degrees and about 160 degrees, between about 30 degrees and about 150 degrees, between about 40 degrees and about 140 degrees, between about 50 degrees and about 130 degrees, between about 60 degrees and about 120 degrees, between about 70 degrees and about 110 degrees, between about 80 degrees and about 100 degrees, or about 20 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 40 degrees, about 50 degrees, about 60 degrees, about 70 degrees, about 80 degrees, about 90 degrees, about 100 degrees, about 110 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 130 degrees, about 140 degrees, about 150 degrees, about 160 degrees, or between a range of any two of the aforementioned values. 
     As discussed above, the baling ram  108  can be generally sized so as to have approximately the same cross-sectional area as the opening  110 . When the baling ram  108  is actuated by the baling actuator  106 , the baling ram  108  can travel across the charging chamber  116  to compress material disposed within the charging chamber  116 . Some examples of materials that can be compressed into a bale by the baling machine  100  include, but not limited to, scrap metal, plastic, cotton, cardboard, carpet, cans, fiber products, paper, old corrugated containers, non-ferrous metals, municipal solid waste and the like. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the baling ram assembly  102 , the hopper  150 , and the compaction chamber  118 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , the material  250  can be placed in the hopper  150  through the opening  120 . The material  250  can fill at least a portion of the volume of the hopper  150  or fill the entire volume of the hopper  150 . The material  250  can occupy at least a portion or the entire volume of the charging chamber  116 . 
     The cross-section of the charging chamber  116  can correspond to the surface area of the baling ram  108  of the baling ram assembly  102 . The baling ram  108  can define one of the sides of the charging chamber  116 . The charging chamber  116  can have an upper boundary  230  associated to a volume of the material  250  to be compressed by the baling ram  108 . The baling ram  108  of the baling ram assembly  102  may not compress the material  250  positioned above the upper boundary  230 . 
     Containment Apparatus 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2B-4B , a containment apparatus  200  will now be described in greater detail.  FIG. 2B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hopper  150  filled with the material  250 . The hopper  150  can include one or more containment apparatus  200  as shown in  FIG. 2B . The containment apparatus  200  can include a containment member  202 , an actuating member  208 , and an actuator  210 . The containment member  202  can include a first connector  204 , a second connector  206 , and a first surface  212 . In the illustrated embodiment, the containment member  202  is a pivotable door  202  and the containment apparatus  200  includes a pair of pivotable doors  202 . 
     The first surface  212  can form an inner surface of the hopper  150  when the containment members  202  are in a first position (e.g., generally upright, such as vertical, position). The first surface  212  may be configured and dimensioned to be flush with the inner surface of the hopper  150 . The first surface  212  may be substantially planar (e.g., flat). Optionally, the first surface  212  can be convex or concave. Optionally, the first surface  212  can be treated (e.g., have a coating thereon) to prevent the material  250  from sticking to the first surface  212 . 
     The first connector  204  (e.g., hinge joint) can rotatably couple the containment member  202  to the hopper  150  such that the containment member  202  can rotate about the first connector  204  towards the charging chamber  116 . The second connector  206  can be operatively connected to the actuator  210  via the actuating member  208  such that the actuator  210  can linearly or angularly actuate the containment member  202 . For example, actuator  210  can actuate the actuating member  208  and move the second connector  206  away from the actuator  210 , causing the containment member  202  can rotate about the first connector  204 . Optionally, the containment members  202  may not be rotatably coupled to the hopper  150 . The containment member  202  can be coupled to the hopper  150  such that the containment member  202  can move in various linear directions. For example, the containment member  202  may be slidably coupled to the hopper  150 . 
     The actuator  210  can be a hydraulic actuator, pneumatic actuator, magnetic actuator, electronic actuator, mechanical actuators (e.g., gear assembly), or the like. The actuator  210  can be linear or angular actuator. The actuating member  208  can be a guide wire, a piston, or the like. Optionally, the power unit  104  and the control system  140  can be operatively connected to the actuator  210  such that the control system  140  and the power unit  104  can send signals to the actuator  210  and control operation of the actuator  210 . 
     The actuator  210  can cause the containment member  202  of the containment apparatus  200  to move between a first position (e.g., where the surface  212  is generally upright, such as vertical, position) and a second position (e.g., where the surface  212  is generally horizontal, such as transverse to a central axis of the hopper  120 ). Optionally, the actuator  210  can cause the containment member  202  to move between the first position, the second position, and a third position (e.g., an angular position between a first vertical position and a second horizontal position). Optionally, the actuator  210  can move the containment member  202  incrementally between different positions. The control system  140  can send signals to the actuator  210  to move the containment member  202  between any of the positions (for example, the first position and the second position) described above. 
     Operation 
     As noted above, the containment member  202  can have a multiple configurations as shown in  FIGS. 2B and 3B . When the containment member  202  is in the first position, the first surface  212  can be flush with an inner surface of the hopper  150 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . When in the first position, the first surface  212  of the containment member  202  may not interfere with hopper  150 . For example, the first surface  212  can be substantially vertical when the containment member  202  is in the first position. Optionally, the first surface  212  can be flush with the inner surface of the hopper  150 . 
     The containment member  202  can have the second position.  FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate various side views of the hopper  150  with the containment members  202  in the second position. The first and the second positions can describe angular or linear positions of the containment member  202 .  FIG. 3B  illustrates an example of the containment members  202  in the second position where the second position of the containment members  202  is about 90 degrees from the first position ( FIG. 2B ). 
     When the containment member  202  is in the second position, the first surface  212  can be substantially perpendicular to the sidewalls of the charging chamber  116 . Optionally, the first surface  212  can be substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the charging chamber  116  when the containment member  202  is in the second position. As shown in  FIG. 3B , the first surfaces  212  of the containment members  202  can be substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the charging chamber  116 . 
     The containment members  202 , when in the second position, can form a gap  214  (denoted by “G”). The gap  214  can prevent the containment members  202  and the first surfaces  212  from contacting each other and be damaged during operation. The gap  214  can prevent jamming of the containment members  202  (e.g., having the doors  202  seize against each other). The size of the gap  214  (distance between the first surfaces  212 ) can be between about 2% or about 10% of the width of the charging chamber (“W” in  FIG. 3B ), between about 3% and about 9% of W, between about 4% and about 8% of W, between about 5% and about 7% of W, or 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, or 10% of W, or range between any two of the aforementioned values. Optionally, the size of the gap  214  can be between about 2% or about 10% of a length of the first surface (“L” in  FIG. 3B ), between about 3% and about 9% of L, between about 4% and about 8% of L, between about 5% and about 7% of L, or 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, or 10% of L, or range between any two of the aforementioned values. 
     The containment apparatus  200  can be advantageous for operations of the baling machine  100  for several reasons. For example, as discussed above, some materials can “ride up” when the baling ram  108  compresses the material  250  by moving across the charging chamber  116 . By applying compression force to the material  250 , the containment member  202  of the containment apparatus  200  can advantageously prevent the material “ride-up.” 
     The containment apparatus  200  can advantageously improve baling efficiency of the baling machine  100 . When the containment members  202  move from the first position to the second position, they can apply pressure to and push the material  250  located above the upper boundary  230  towards the charging chamber. This can advantageously increase the amount of the material  250  in the charging chamber  116  prior to the baling ram  108  moving across the charging chamber  116 . For example, when the containment members  202  are in the second position (as opposed to the first position), the charging chamber  116  stores about 75% more of the material  250 . This indicates that the baling machine  100  can advantageously compress about 75% more of the material  250  each time the baling ram  108  moves across the charging chamber  116 . This can improve efficiency of the baling machine  100  by reducing the number of strokes needed by the baling ram assembly  102  to form a bale  254  (e.g., reducing from 12 strokes to about 4 strokes or less), and thereby the amount of energy needed to bale the material. 
     In addition, the containment apparatus  200  can be advantageous in preventing “bridging” of the material  250  in the hopper  150 . For example, materials such as cardboard or elongate metal or plastic pieces can be lodged between the walls of the hopper and cause “bridging.” By moving from the first position to the second position, the containment member  202  of the containment apparatus  200  can advantageously push the lodged materials towards the charging chamber  116  and eliminate “bridging.” 
     Moreover, the containment member  202  can reduce the amount of the material  250  cut by the baling ram  108  moving across the charging chamber  116 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , when the containment members  202  are in the second position, the cutting apparatus of the baling ram  108  may need to cut the material  250  across the gap  214  (“G’) to separate the material  250  in the charging chamber  116  from the rest of the material  250  in the hopper  150 . On the other hand, when the containment members  202  are in the first position, the cutting apparatus of the baling ram  108  may need to cut the material  250  across the entire width (“W”) of the charging chamber  116 . Having less material to cut during the baling process (for example, the baling ram  108  moving across the charging chamber  116 ) can advantageously require less strokes of the baling ram  108  to separate the material  250  in the charging chamber  116 , resulting in an improved baling efficiency and reduced energy consumption. Additionally, such reduction in the width that needs to be cut by the baling ram  108  (e.g., by a knife of the baling ram  108 ), inhibits the jamming of the knife, which improves reliability of the baling system and reduces down or maintenance time. 
     The compression force applied by the containment members  202  can improve cutting the material  250  for certain materials. For example, soft materials such as cotton or other types of fabrics may be easier to cut when they are stretched or pulled tight. The compression force applied on the material  250  can advantageously increase tension between the material  250  in the charging chamber  116  and the material  250  not in the charging chamber  116  to make cutting easier at the gap  214 . 
     The containment members  202  in the second position can cause the material  250  in the charging chamber  116  to have greater density than the material  250  not in the charging chamber  116 . The compression force generated by the containment member  202  can cause greater amount of the material  250  to be placed in the charging chamber  116  than without the compression force. Therefore, applying compression force using the containment members  202  can advantageously allow the baling machine  100  to bale more of the material  250  per stroke by the baling ram  108 . 
     Optionally, the containment member  202  can have a third position where the containment member  202  compresses the material  250  further towards a bottom surface of the charging chamber, moving beyond the upper boundary  230  of the charging chamber  116 . This can further compress the material  250  and ensure that the material  250  does not “ride up” beyond the upper boundary  230  of the charging chamber  116 . 
     Baling and Ejection 
       FIGS. 3A and 4A  illustrate the baling ram assembly  102  applying compaction force to the material  250  in the charging chamber  116 . The baling actuator  106  of the baling ram assembly  102  can apply force to the baling ram  108  to move the baling ram  108  across the charging chamber  116  and towards the compaction chamber  118 . The baling ram  108  can have a first position where the baling ram  108  forms a side of the charging chamber  116 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . The baling can have a second position where the baling ram  108  forms a side of the compaction chamber  118  as shown in  FIG. 4A . The ejector ram assembly  122  can be used to eject the bale  254  from the compaction chamber  118 . The control system  140  can control operation of the ejector ram assembly  122 . By sending signals to ejector actuator  126 , the control system  140  can cause the ejector ram  128  to move into the compaction chamber  118  and eject the bale  254  via the exit  190 . The ejector ram  128  can have dimensions or cross-section approximate to that of the compaction chamber  118 . 
     Method of Baling 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a method  500  of operating the baling machine  100 . At block  502 , the material  250  can be placed in the hopper through the opening  120 . At block  504 , the containment member  202  can be actuated by the control system  140 . As discussed above, the control system  140  can actuate the containment member  202  by sending signals to the actuator  210 , which in turn can linearly or rotationally actuate the containment member  202  via the actuating member  208 . 
     At block  506 , the containment member  202  apply compression force to the material  250  in the hopper  150 . As discussed above, the compression force applied by the containment member  202  can eliminate “bridging” or “ride up” of the material  250 . In addition, the containment member  202  can increase the amount of the material  250  in the charging chamber  116 . Moreover, the containment member  202  can reduce the amount of the material  250  cut by the cutting apparatus of the baling ram  108 , thereby increasing lifespan of the cutting apparatus. 
     At block  508 , the control system  140  can send signals to the control system  140  to actuate the baling actuator  106  of the baling ram assembly  102 . The baling actuator  106  can cause the baling ram  108  to move across the charging chamber  116  and push the material  250  towards the compaction chamber  118 . At block  510 , the baling ram  108  can apply compaction force to further compress the material  250  in the compaction chamber  118  and manufacture the bale  254 . 
     At block  512 , the control system  140  can send signals to the control system  140  to actuate the ejector actuator  126  of the ejector ram assembly  122 . The ejector actuator  126  can push and eject the bale  254  from the compaction chamber  118  via the exit  190 . Optionally, the bale  254  can be automatically wrapped prior to being ejected from the compaction chamber  118 . 
     Terminology 
     While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to the appended claims. 
     Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. 
     Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
     Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
     Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z. 
     Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degree. 
     The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.