Patent Publication Number: US-8534537-B2

Title: Carton with opener

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/198,392, which was filed on Nov. 5, 2008. 
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/198,392, which was filed on Nov. 5, 2008, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Cartons are useful for holding and transporting articles. In order to facilitate dispensing of articles from a carton, it is beneficial to form a dispenser with a portion of the carton. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to blanks, packages, or cartons for holding and/or dispensing product. 
     In one aspect, the present invention includes a blank with a first side panel connected along a first fold line to a second side panel, the second side panel is connected along a second fold line to a third side panel, the third side panel is connected along a third fold line to a fourth side panel, the fourth side panel is connected along a fourth fold line to a fifth side panel, the fifth side panel is connected along a fifth fold line to a sixth side panel, and the sixth side panel is connected along a sixth fold line to an adhesive panel. The blank includes end flaps connected along a first transverse fold line to a first end of the blank and along a second transverse fold line to a second end of the blank. The end flaps include a first end flap connected along the first transverse fold line and a second end flap connected along the first transverse fold line. The first end flap includes a tear line pattern that defines a dispenser. The tear line pattern extends across the first transverse fold line. The second end flap includes an opening. The first end flap overlaps the second end flap with the dispenser overlapping the opening in a carton formed from the blank. 
     A hanging end flap can be connected along a hanging fold line to the first end flap. The dispensing end flap can be connected along the first transverse fold line to the third side panel, and the tear line pattern can extend into the third side panel. The tear line pattern generally forms a tear tab in the third side panel. The tear line pattern can be substantially continuous and the dispenser can include sections of the third side panel and of the first end flap. The second end flap can be connected along the first transverse fold line to the sixth side panel. A third end flap can be attached along the first transverse fold line to the first side panel and a fourth end flap can be attached along the first transverse fold line to the fifth side panel. A fifth end flap can be connected along the second transverse fold line to the first side panel, a sixth end flap can be connected along the second transverse fold line to the third side panel, a seventh end flap can be connected along the second transverse fold line to the fifth side panel, and an eighth end flap can be connected along the second transverse fold line to the sixth side panel. The second end flap also can include at least one tuck-in flap capable of securing the second end flap in place in the carton formed from the blank. A projection can be provided adjacent the second transverse fold line, with the projection configured to form a stand to help support the carton formed from the blank in an upright configuration. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a carton is provided. The carton includes a first side panel connected along a first fold line to a second side panel, the second side panel is connected along a second fold line to a third side panel, the third side panel is connected along a third fold line to a fourth side panel, the fourth side panel is connected along a fourth fold line to a fifth side panel, the fifth side panel is connected along a fifth fold line to a sixth side panel, a first end panel is connected at a first end of the first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, the fourth side panel, the fifth side panel, and the sixth side panel, and a second end panel is connected at a second end of the first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, the fourth side panel, the fifth side panel, and the sixth side panel. A tear line pattern is provided in the carton and defines a dispensing flap, with the tear line pattern extending from the first end panel into the third side panel. An end flap is connected to the sixth side panel, is disposed under the dispensing flap of the carton, and includes an opening. A hanging flap is connected along a hanging fold line to the first end panel. The dispensing flap is detachable along the tear line pattern and is capable of being hinged about the hanging fold line to allow the contents of the carton to be dispensed through the opening. The hanging flap generally is capable of being hinged about the hanging fold line to be disposed approximately perpendicular the first end panel. The hanging flap can include a hook opening that can be used to hang the carton from the hanging flap. A projection can be provided at the second end, with the projection is configured to form a stand to support the carton in an upright configuration. 
     In still another aspect, the invention includes a method of dispensing that includes providing a carton. The carton including a first side panel connected along a first fold line to a second side panel, the second side panel is connected along a second fold line to a third side panel, the third side panel is connected along a third fold line to a fourth side panel, the fourth side panel is connected along a fourth fold line to a fifth side panel, the fifth side panel is connected along a fifth fold line to a sixth side panel, a first end panel is connected at a first end of the first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, the fourth side panel, the fifth side panel, and the sixth side panel, and a second end panel is connected at a second end of the first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, the fourth side panel, the fifth side panel, and the sixth side panel. A tear line pattern also can be provided in the carton and defines a dispensing flap, with the tear line pattern extending from the first end panel into the third side panel. An end flap is connected to the sixth side panel, is disposed under the dispensing flap of the carton, and includes an opening. The dispensing flap is detachable along the tear line pattern and is capable of being hinged about the hanging fold line to allow contents to be dispensed through the opening from the carton. The method also includes separating the dispensing flap from a remainder portion of the carton by tearing along the tear line pattern and dispensing contents from the carton through the opening. A hanging flap can be connected along a hanging fold line to the first end panel. The separation of the dispensing flap along the tear line pattern can be initiated by a tear tab. The tear tab can be disposed in the third side panel. The separation of the dispensing flap along the tear line pattern can include hinging the dispensing flap along the hanging fold line in a first direction to expose the opening. The method can further include hinging the dispensing flap to close the carton after dispensing. The method can further include hinging the hanging flap about the hanging fold line to dispose the hanging flap approximately perpendicular the first end panel. Further, the hanging flap can include a hook opening that can be used to hang the carton from the hanging flap. A projection can be included at the second end, with the projection configured to form a stand to support the carton in an upright configuration. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the below listed drawing figures. 
     According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to illustrate more clearly the embodiments of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a carton blank according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a carton erected from the blank of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the carton of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a right side view of the carton of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a left side view of the carton of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a partially cut-away bottom view of the carton of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  shows the carton of  FIG. 2  in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 8  shows the carton of  FIG. 2  in a hanging configuration. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     This disclosure generally relates to cartons suitable for storing and dispensing contents or articles, and methods of erecting such cartons from a carton blank. For purposes of illustration and not limitation, the detailed description below describes several embodiments of the invention within the context of a carton with an opener for dispensing contents or articles from the carton. Further, references herein to “end,” “side,” “front,” “rear,” “bottom,” and “top” refer to orientations or positions of elements when the carton is erected and disposed in an upright orientation. The terms “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and “oblique,” and any variations thereof, generally refer to the location and/or orientation of an element or line with respect to a drawing figure in which it appears. Reference characters shared among the various embodiments disclosed herein indicate similar parts. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an outside facing surface  3  of a carton blank  5  from which a carton  200  ( FIGS. 2-8 ) can be erected. The blank  5  includes a back panel  10 , a first side panel  20 , a first side corner panel  30 , a front panel  40 , a second side corner panel  50 , a second side panel  60 , and an adhesive panel  7 . Adhesive panel  7  is foldably connected along fold line  9  to the panel  10 , the panel  10  is foldably connected along fold line  11  to panel  20 , panel  20  is foldably connected along fold line  21  to panel  30 , panel  30  is foldably connected along fold line  31  to panel  40 , panel  40  is foldably connected along fold line  41  to panel  50 , and panel  50  is foldably connected along fold line  51  to panel  60 . End flap  12  is connected along a fold line  13  to a first end  4  of panel  10 . Tuck-in flap  16  is foldably connected along a fold line  17  to end flap  12  and tuck-in flap  26  is foldably connected along a fold line  27  to end flap  12 . End flap  14  is foldably connected along a fold line  15  to a second end  6  of panel  10 . Tuck-in flap  18  is foldably connected along a fold line  19  to end flap  14  and tuck-in flap  28  is foldably connected to end flap  14  along a fold line  29 . A projection  77  extends slightly below fold line  15  and is configured to form a stand or similar formation to help support carton  200  in an upright configuration, such as when carton  200  is disposed on a surface, such as a shelf. A central cutout or opening  80  is also provided in end flap  12 . While opening  80  could be covered by a flap (not shown), generally, opening  80  is defined by a perimeter  82  surrounding a void  84 . The opening  80  is shown in  FIG. 1  with an irregular, hexagonal shape, though other shapes are within the scope of the invention. In lieu of “panels,” the surfaces of carton  200  formed from the blank  5  can be referred to as “sides.” 
     End flap  22  is foldably connected along fold line  23  at the first end  4  of panel  20  and end flap  24  is foldably connected along fold line  25  at the second end  6  of panel  20 . End flap  42  is foldably connected along fold line  43  at the first end  4  of panel  40  and end flap  44  is foldably connected along fold line  45  at the second end  6  of panel  40 . A hanging flap  46  is foldably connected along a fold line  47  to end flap  42 . Hanging flap  46  is shown with an optional hook portion  100 . Hook portion  100  is generally defined by a perimeter  102  surrounding an opening  104 . Optionally, opening  104  can be covered with a flap or other cutout. In use, opening  104  receives an attachment element (not shown) such as, for example, a screw, nail, pin, hook, etc., for hanging the carton  200 , such as from a support wall or other structure. The hanging flap  46  is shown as being generally trapezoidal in shape, but should not be limited to such shape. End flap  44  optionally can be divided into sections by fold lines, such as section  48  connected to the first end  4  of panel  60 , and end flap  64  is foldably connected along fold line  65  to the second end  6  of panel  60 . Fold lines  13 ,  15 ,  23 ,  25 ,  43 ,  45 ,  63 ,  65  are generally transverse to fold lines  9 ,  11 ,  21 ,  31 ,  41 ,  51 ,  61 . One or more of fold lines  13 ,  23 ,  43 ,  63  could be replaced by a single fold line, such as indicated at  73 , and one or more of fold lines. Fold lines  15 ,  25 ,  45 ,  65  could be replaced by a single fold line, such as indicated at  75 . End flaps  12 ,  14 ,  22 ,  24 ,  42 ,  44 ,  62 ,  64  generally extend in a direction away from respective fold lines  13 ,  15 ,  23 ,  25 ,  43 ,  45 ,  63 , and/or  65  toward periphery  8  of the blank. 
     A dispensing feature  90  is shown in  FIG. 1  in end flap  42  and panel  40 . Specifically, the dispensing feature  90  is defined by a pattern of tear lines, including tear lines  91 ,  92 ,  93 ,  94 , and  95 . Tear lines  91  and  95  extend in a generally perpendicular direction from fold line  47  toward fold line  43 . Tear line  91  intersects with tear line  92 , which extends in a generally oblique direction to a first intersection with fold line  43 . Tear line  95  intersects with tear line  94 , which extends in a generally oblique direction to a second intersection with fold line  43 . The first intersection and the second intersection being spaced apart approximately by a width of a flap or tear tab  96 . Flap  96  is defined along fold line  43  by a fold line  97  (which is generally collinear with fold line  43 ) and by tear line  93 . The tear tab  96  functions generally to provide an opening assistance device for separating dispensing panel  98  along the tear line pattern to allow access to opening  80 , and to the interior of the carton  200 . Tear line  93  extends into or along panel  40  in a generally arcuate manner from the first intersection to the second intersection. Generally, tear lines  91 ,  92 ,  93 ,  94 , and  95  will connect to extend in a generally continuous manner, and, along with fold line  97  and fold line  47 , define a dispensing panel  98 . 
     To form the blank  5  into carton  200 , the panels generally are folded about fold lines to form a sleeve. Next, the end flaps are folded toward the interior of the sleeve to close the ends of the carton. Either the top end or the base end can be enclosed first. 
     At the base end, end flaps  24  and  64  initially are folded inward, then end flap  14  is folded about fold line  15  and tuck-in flaps  18  and  28  are folded about fold lines  19  and  29 , respectively, to tuck into the interior of the carton to secure the base portion in place. Finally, an adhesive can be applied to either end flap  14  or end flap  44 , and end flap  44  is folded about fold line  45  to overlap end flap  14 . 
     At the top end, end flaps  22  and  62  initially are folded inward, then end flap  12  is folded about fold line  13  and tuck-in flaps  16  and  26  are folded about fold lines  17  and  27 , respectively, to tuck into the interior of the carton to secure the base portion in place. Finally, an adhesive is applied, generally to the non-dispensing sections of end flap  42  or to sections of end flap  12 , and end flap  42  is folded about fold line  43  to overlap end flap  12 . 
       FIGS. 2-6  show a carton  200  erected to a closed configuration from the blank  5 . An exemplary method of forming the carton  200  will now be described with respect to  FIGS. 2-6 . 
     Referring in particular to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  5 , to erect the carton  200 , panels  30 ,  50  may be folded along the fold lines  31 ,  41 , respectively, so as to extend rearwardly from panel  40  at an obtuse angle. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , panels  20 ,  60  may be folded along the fold lines  11 ,  21 ,  51  so as to extend substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicularly to the front panel  40 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , panel  10  may be folded along the fold line  11  such that panel  10  extends substantially parallel to panel  40 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the adhesive panel  7  may be folded along fold line  9  such that adhesive panel  7  extends substantially parallel to the second side panel  60 . Adhesive panel  7  may be attached to the inner or outer side of panel  60  by adhesive or other suitable attachment means. 
     End flaps  22 ,  62  may be folded inwardly towards the interior of the carton  200  (not shown) so as to extend transversely to the first and second side panels  20 ,  60 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 2 , flap  12  may be folded inwardly along the fold line  13  so as to extend substantially perpendicularly to panel  10  and panel  40 , between panel  10 , panel  40 , panels  20 ,  60  and panels  30 ,  50 . Tuck-in flaps  16 ,  26  may be folded downwardly along fold lines  17 ,  27  so as to extend substantially parallel to the second and first side corner panels  50 ,  30 , respectively. Reinforcement flaps  16 ,  26 ,  18 , and/or  28  may abut and may be adhered to the interior surface of panels  50 ,  30 , respectively (not shown). End flap  42  also may be folded downwardly over end flap  12  along fold line  43  such that end flap  42  extends substantially parallel to end flap  12  and overlaps end flap  12 , with dispensing feature  90  aligned over opening  80 . End flaps  12 ,  42  may be adhesively or otherwise attached to each other, thereby forming a top end panel  210  ( FIG. 7 ) of the carton  200 . End flaps  22 ,  62  ( FIG. 1 ) may also be adhered to the interior surface of the top end panel  210  ( FIG. 7 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the hanging flap  46  optionally may be folded downwardly along fold line  47  so as to extend substantially parallel to panel  10  in carton  200 . The hanging flap  46  may optionally be releasably adhesively attached to panel  10 . 
     As shown in the cut-away sections in  FIG. 6 , end flaps  24 ,  64  may be folded inwardly towards the interior of the carton  200  so as to extend transversely to panels  20 ,  60 , respectively. Still referring to  FIG. 6 , end flap  14  may be folded inwardly along fold line  15  so as to extend substantially perpendicularly to panel  10  and panel  40 , between panel  10 , panel  40 , panels  20 ,  60 , and panels  30 ,  50 . Tuck-in flaps  18 ,  28  may be folded upwardly along fold lines  19 ,  29  so as to extend substantially parallel to panels  50 ,  30 , respectively. For reinforcement, tuck-in flaps  18 ,  28  may abut and may be adhered to the interior surface of panels  50 ,  30 , respectively (not shown). Additionally, end flap  44  may be folded downwardly over end flap  14  along fold line  45  such that end flap  44  extends substantially parallel to end flap  14  between panel  10 , panel  40 , panels  20 ,  60 , and panels  30 ,  50 . End flap  44  thereby overlaps end flap  14 . End flaps  14 ,  44  may be adhesively or otherwise attached to each other, thereby forming a bottom end panel  230  ( FIG. 6 ) of the carton  200 . End flaps  24 ,  64  ( FIG. 1 ) may also be adhered to the interior surface of the bottom end panel  230 . 
     The steps in the above-described process are not limited to the sequence in which they are described, and may be performed in a number of different sequences. Prior to closing the one or more of the top end panel  210  ( FIG. 7 ), panel  60  and panel  7 , and the bottom end panel  230  ( FIG. 6 ) (such that an opening remains in the structure formed by the blank  5  ( FIG. 1 ) to allow access to the interior of the structure) the interior of the folded blank  5  may be loaded with desired contents or articles. 
     The carton  200  formed by the exemplary process provided above therefore includes: panel  10  ( FIG. 1 ) and panel  40  extending substantially parallel to each other; panels  20 ,  60  extending substantially parallel to each other from opposite side edges of panel  40 , and substantially perpendicularly to panels  40 ,  10 ; panels  30 ,  50  extending at obtuse angles from opposite side edges of panel  40  to panels  20 ,  60 , respectively; the top end panel  210  extending between panel  10 , panel  40 , panels  20 ,  60 , and panels  30 ,  50 ; and the bottom end panel  230  ( FIG. 6 ) extending substantially parallel to the top end panel  210  ( FIG. 7 ) between panel  10  ( FIG. 1 ), panel  40 , panels  20 ,  60 , and panels  30 ,  50 . The projection  77  in panel  10  forms a support, stand, or the like, for helping to stabilize the carton on an underlying support surface. 
     When the carton  200  is in a closed configuration, such as shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , a top opener, or lid is formed in top end panel  210  and panel  40 . The opener includes the at least partially detachable dispensing panel  98  in panel  42  and the at least partially detachable tab  96  in panel  40 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the carton  200  in a configuration for dispensing contents or articles from the carton  200 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the tab  96  is detached from panel  40  and dispensing panel  98  is partially detached from end flap  42 , such that the lid is partially detached from the top panel  210 , and thereby forms an opening  220  in end flap  42  that is at least partially aligned with opening  84  in end flap  12 . This separation may be accomplished by detaching or tearing tab  96  from panel  40  along tear line  93  (which detaching can include pushing tear tab  96  at least partially into the interior of the carton, or pulling tear tab  96  to separate the tab  96  from panel  40  along tear line  93 ), and then pulling the tab  96  to separate or tear dispensing panel  98  away from end flap  42  along tear lines  91 ,  92 ,  94 ,  95 . The openings  84 ,  220  form a dispenser  240  through which contents or articles can be removed from or placed inside the carton  200 . The lid may be opened to facilitate access to the dispenser  240  by folding the lid upwardly and rearward along fold line  47 . The lid may be reclosed or substantially reclosed to cover the dispenser  240  by folding the lid downwardly and forwardly along the fold line  47 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the carton  200  in a configuration for hanging the carton  200  from a wall or other structure. This configuration is similar to the configuration shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , except that the hanging panel  46  is folded along the rear edge of the top end panel  210  (formed by fold line  47 ) so as to extend upwardly, substantially parallel to panel  10 . Thus, a hanging element (e.g., screw, nail, pin, or hook) attached to a support wall or other structure may be inserted through opening  104  in the hanging panel  46  such that the carton  200  is hanged from the support wall or other structure. In embodiments in which the hanging panel  46  is initially releasably attached to panel  10  (e.g., via an adhesive material), the hanging panel  46  may be separated from panel  10 , and thereafter folded upwardly along the rear edge of top end panel  210  into configuration for hanging. 
     The blank and carton formed can be of any dimensions, which dimensions can be modified to receive, transport, and/or dispense different contents. For exemplary purposes only, the following dimensioning is provided for a blank that forms a carton. In the example embodiment, the blank can be approximately 8 to 10 inches in width (as measured from end flap  44  to hanging flap  46 ) and approximately 12 to 14 inches in length (as measured from panel  7  to panel  60 ), with the exemplary carton having a width of 9.7408 inches and a length of 13 and 41/64 inches. The exemplary blank has a length of panel  7  of ⅝-inch, a length of panel  10  of 5-inches, a length of panel  20  of 1½ inches, a length of panel  30  of 1 25/64 inches, a length of panel  40  of 2¼ inches, a length of panel  50  of 1 25/64 inches, and a length of panel  60  of 1 31/64 inches. The exemplary blank has a width of hanging flap  46  of 1¼ inches, a width of end flap  42  of 2.0817-inches, a width of panels  10 ,  20 ,  40 , and  60  of 3 15/16 inches, and a width of end flap  44  of 1.9567 inches. A carton formed from this exemplary blank has an approximate size of 5 by 1½ by 5 inches, has an approximate area of 100.95 inches, and has an approximate rule length of 141.433 inches. These dimensions are offered for exemplary purposes only and should not limit in any manner the scope of the invention or the claims. 
     In some instances in the foregoing, attaching parts together is described with reference to specific features and methods. However, the attaching may be carried out in any suitable manner, such as, but not limited to, through the use of adhesive material. 
     The term “fold line” is used throughout the description. It is noted that, unless stated otherwise, the term “fold line” can include any at least somewhat line-like arranged, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening in the blank that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present invention, conventional fold lines can include: a crease, such as formed by folding; a score line, such as formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; or various combinations of these features. The term “tear line” is also used throughout the specification. A tear line can be any at least somewhat line-like arranged, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates tearing therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present invention, conventional tear lines include a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or any combination of these features. 
     As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure. 
     The blanks according to the present disclosure can be formed, for example, from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blanks can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating then may be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blank. In accordance with the above-described embodiments, the blanks may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described herein. The blanks can also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections. 
     The above embodiments also may be described as having a liner attached to the carton and/or one or more carton panels adhered together by glue during erection. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels or flaps in place. 
     The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc. could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.