Patent Publication Number: US-2023160411-A1

Title: Multi-layer encapsulation system for joint sealing of vacuum insulated cabinets

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/545,077 filed Dec. 8, 2021, entitled MULTI-LAYER ENCAPSULATION SYSTEM FOR JOINT SEALING OF VACUUM INSULATED CABINETS, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/071,180 filed Oct. 15, 2020, entitled MULTI-LAYER ENCAPSULATION SYSTEM FOR JOINT SEALING OF VACUUM INSULATED CABINETS, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,248,640, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/308,524 filed Dec. 10, 2018, entitled MULTI-LAYER ENCAPSULATION SYSTEM FOR JOINT SEALING OF VACUUM INSULATED CABINETS, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,837,479, which is a national stage of International Application No. PCT/US2017/017802 filed Feb. 14, 2017, entitled MULTI-LAYER ENCAPSULATION SYSTEM FOR JOINT SEALING OF VACUUM INSULATED CABINETS, now International Publication No. WO2018/151705, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DEVICE 
     The device is in the field of insulation structures for appliances, and more specifically, a multi-layer encapsulation system for joint sealing within a vacuum insulated structure. 
     SUMMARY 
     In at least one aspect, an appliance includes an outer wrapper, an inner liner, a trim breaker having a channel that receives at least one of a wrapper edge of the outer wrapper and a liner edge of the inner liner, and a composite encapsulation system that hermetically seals an insulating cavity defined between the outer wrapper and the inner liner. The composite encapsulation system includes a base adhesive and an outer adhesive, wherein each of the base and outer adhesives define a structural component and a sealing component. 
     In at least another aspect, a method for forming an insulating cabinet for an appliance includes steps of delivering a base adhesive in an uncured state into a channel of a trim breaker. A wrapper edge of an outer wrapper is disposed into the channel so that the base adhesive in the uncured state surrounds both sides of the wrapper edge within the channel. A liner edge of an inner liner is disposed into the channel so that the adhesive base in the uncured state surrounds both sides of the liner edge within the channel. The base adhesive is cured. An outer adhesive is then disposed over the base adhesive. The outer adhesive covers the base adhesive and engages the outer wrapper and inner liner at the trim breaker. The outer adhesive is then cured. Once cured, the base adhesive and outer adhesive cooperate to define structural and sealing components of the composite encapsulation system. 
     In at least another aspect, a method for forming an insulating cabinet for an appliance includes steps of delivering a base adhesive in an uncured state into a wrapper channel and a liner channel of a trim breaker. A liner edge of an inner liner is disposed into the liner channel so that the base adhesive in the uncured state surrounds both sides of the liner edge within the liner channel. A wrapper edge of an outer wrapper is disposed into the wrapper channel so that the base adhesive in the uncured state surrounds both sides of the wrapper edge within the wrapper channel. The base adhesive is cured to define a structural adhesive component. A medial buffer layer is disposed onto at least a portion of the cured base adhesive. An outer adhesive is disposed over the medial buffer layer, wherein the outer adhesive extends from an outer edge of the trim breaker to an outside surface of the outer wrapper and also extends from an inner edge of the trim breaker to an inside surface of the inner liner. The outer adhesive is cured to define a composite encapsulation system having the base adhesive and the outer adhesive that define structural and sealing components, wherein the base adhesive and the outer adhesive are separated by the medial buffer layer. 
     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of an appliance having a cabinet that incorporates an aspect of the multi-layer encapsulation system; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram illustrating a cabinet incorporating an aspect of the multi-layer encapsulation system; 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded schematic cross-sectional view of an appliance cabinet incorporating an aspect of the multi-layer encapsulation system; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of the schematic appliance cabinet of  FIG.  2   , taken along line IV-IV, and illustrating a process for evacuating gas from an insulating cavity of the cabinet; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic view of a trim breaker receiving a base adhesive in an uncured state as part of the process for forming the multi-layer encapsulation system; 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic cross-sectional view of the trim-breaker of  FIG.  5    showing the inner liner and outer wrapper being disposed within the base adhesive in the uncured state; 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of the trim breaker of  FIG.  6    and showing the medial buffer layer disposed onto the base adhesive; 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view of the trim breaker of  FIG.  7    and showing the outer adhesive disposed over the medial buffer layer; 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inner liner and outer wrapper being disposed within an aspect of the trim breaker for creating the multi-layer encapsulation system; 
         FIG.  10    is a cross-sectional view of the cabinet of  FIG.  9    and showing the multi-layer encapsulation system for securing the inner liner and outer wrapper to the trim breaker; 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a method for forming an insulating cabinet for an appliance; and 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a method for forming an insulating cabinet for an appliance. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in  FIG.  1   . However, it is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , reference numeral  10  generally refers to a multi-layer encapsulation system that is disposed within a channel  12  of a trim breaker  14  for securing an inner liner  16  and an outer wrapper  18  to the trim breaker  14  for forming a structural cabinet  20  for an appliance  22 . According to the various embodiments, the appliance  22  can include the inner liner  16  and the outer wrapper  18 . The trim breaker  14  includes the channel  12  that receives at least one of the liner edge  24  of the inner liner  16  and the wrapper edge  26  of the outer wrapper  18 . A composite encapsulation system  10  is included that hermetically seals an insulating cavity  28  defined between the outer wrapper  18  and the inner liner  16 . The composite encapsulation system  10  includes a base adhesive  30  and an outer adhesive  32 . The base and outer adhesive  30 ,  32  each define, respectively, structural adhesive components and sealing adhesive components. According to various aspects of the device, the base and outer adhesives  30 ,  32  are separated by a medial buffer layer  34 . The medial buffer layer  34  is adapted to prevent direct contact between the base and the outer adhesives  30 ,  32 . Accordingly, it is contemplated that the outer adhesive  32  is injected, poured, sprayed or otherwise disposed over the medial buffer layer  34  to be physically separated from direct contact with the base adhesive  30  by the medial buffer layer  34 . 
     The medial buffer layer  34  that is included within aspects of the composite encapsulation system  10  is typically included where the base adhesive  30  and outer adhesive  32  have chemical compositions that are not compatible in the event of direct contact. In such an embodiment, the chemical make-up of the base adhesive  30  may react negatively with the outer adhesive  32 , and/or vice versa. In order to prevent this negative deterioration of either of the base or outer adhesives  32 , the medial buffer layer  34  is included to prevent this physical contact. The inclusion of the medial buffer layer  34  allows for the use of a wide range of adhesives and/or sealing materials that may not otherwise be able to be used due to incompatible chemistries of the various materials. Additionally, the medial buffer layer  34  may also provide additional resistance to permeability for the entire composite encapsulation system  10 , while also preventing negative chemical reactions between the base adhesive  30  and outer adhesive  32 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 - 8   , it is contemplated that the channel  12  can include a wrapper channel  42  that receives the liner edge  24  of the inner liner  16 . The channel  12  can also include a separate wrapper channel  42  that is adapted to receive the wrapper edge  26  of the outer wrapper  18 . In various alternative aspects, it is contemplated that the trim breaker  14  can include a single channel  12  that receives both the wrapper edge  26  of the outer wrapper  18  and the liner edge  24  of the inner liner  16 . In these various embodiments, it is contemplated that the inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18  are disposed within the channel  12  while the base adhesive  30  is in a substantially viscous and uncured state  44 . In this manner, the base adhesive  30  has a sufficient viscosity to form around the wrapper edge  26  and the liner edge  24  such that the base adhesive  30  engages both sides  46  of the inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18 . Accordingly, the base adhesive  30  occupies at least a portion of the insulating cavity  28  between the inner liner  16  and the outer wrapper  18 . This surrounding engagement provides a robust engagement of the base adhesive  30  with the inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18 . The outer adhesive  32  can then be applied over the base adhesive  30 . Typically, the outer adhesive  32  is applied after the base adhesive  30  defines a cured state  48 . Typically, the base adhesive  30  forms a structural adhesive component for the composite encapsulation system  10 . After the outer adhesive  32  cures, the outer adhesive  32  can define a sealing adhesive component of the composite encapsulation system  10 . Additionally, the outer adhesive  32  can provide an additional structural component to provide a more robust attachment between the trim breaker  14  and the inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18 . It should be understood that the base and outer adhesives  30 ,  32  can each provide structural and sealing functionality to the composite encapsulation system  10 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  2 - 8   , the medial buffer layer  34  can be in the form of a solid member that is disposed over the base adhesive  30 , which is, typically, in the cured state  48 . It is also contemplated that the medial buffer layer  34  can be a spray-type material that is disposed over the base adhesive  30  in the cured state  48 . In this manner, the base adhesive  30  is adapted to engage a lower surface  60  of the medial buffer layer  34 . Depending upon the nature of the medial buffer layer  34  and the state (cured state  48  or uncured state  44 ) of the base adhesive  30 , the base adhesive  30  may bond to the lower surface  60  of the medial buffer layer  34 . Alternatively, the medial buffer layer  34  may rest upon, in a substantially surface-type engagement with, the base adhesive  30 . The outer adhesive  32  is then applied to the upper surface  62  of the medial buffer layer  34  such that the outer adhesive  32  bonds, adheres to, or otherwise engages the upper surface  62  of the medial buffer layer  34  to define the composite encapsulation system  10 . Once the base adhesive  30  and the outer adhesive  32  are in the cured state  48 , the base adhesive  30 , the medial buffer layer  34  and the outer adhesive  32  cooperatively define the composite encapsulation system  10  that provides a substantially monolithic adhesive having an increased resistance to permeability of gas  72  and vapor over that of each of the individual components by themselves. 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  2 - 8   , it is contemplated that the elastic base can be an epoxy-type adhesive. The base adhesive  30 , which is typically elastic, can also be in the form of other adhesives that can include, but are not limited to, acrylics, cyanoacrylates, polyurethanes, silicones, hybrids or combinations thereof, and other similar adhesives that may have a good barrier performance to block gas  72  (such as oxygen) and water vapor from permeating therethrough. This base adhesive  30  is adapted to encapsulate the plastic and metal joint area of the trim breaker  14  and inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18  and provide hermetic sealing for the vacuum structure. The base adhesive  30  also provides a robust bond strength between the plastic of the trim breaker  14  and the metals of the outer wrapper  18  and/or the inner liner  16 . 
     As discussed above, the medial buffer layer  34  could be a solid member that is placed on top of the base adhesive  30 . It is contemplated that this medial buffer layer  34  can be in the form of a metallic or non-metallic sheet, a metallic-type coating, a non-metallic-type coating, various coatings that can be deposited through physical vapor deposition, spray-coatings, polymer-based coatings, elastomeric coatings, rubberized coatings, combinations thereof, and other similar barrier-type materials that can maintain the base adhesive  30  separate from the outer adhesive  32 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  2 - 8   , the outer adhesive  32  can take the form of any one of various adhesives. Typically, the outer adhesive  32  will have elastic properties to allow for minimal movement of the inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18  with respect to the trim breaker  14 . These adhesives can include, but are not limited to, silicone adhesives, polyurethane adhesives, polymer-type materials, other silicone-type materials, combinations or hybrids thereof, and other similar materials that have a certain amount of elasticity to allow for movement of the inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18  with respect to the trim breaker  14  during formation of the cabinet  20  and also during the life of the appliance  22 . It is contemplated that the outer adhesive  32  has a robust attachment strength and also permeation resistance, such that if the base adhesive  30  experiences a de-lamination phenomenon, the outer adhesive  32  may be sufficient to the at least partial vacuum within the insulating cavity  28 . Additionally, the outer adhesive  32  can define a protective layer that limits permeation to prevent significant amounts of humidity, gas  72  and vapor from reaching the base adhesive  30 . 
     According to the various embodiments as exemplified in  FIGS.  2 - 8   , it is contemplated that an insulation material  68  can be disposed within the insulating cavity  28 . Additionally, at least one of the inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18  can include a gas port  70  that is used to express or expel gas  72  from the insulating cavity  28 . In this manner, the insulating cavity  28  can define an at least partial vacuum  74  therein for increasing the insulating functionality of the cabinet  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5 - 10   , typically, the inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18  are disposed within the base adhesive  30  before the medial buffer layer  34  and the outer adhesive  32  are disposed over the base adhesive  30 . Accordingly, portions of the base adhesive  30  disposed within the insulating cavity  28  between the inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18  may be substantially inaccessible. In various embodiments, the medial buffer layer  34  and the outer adhesive  32  are disposed, typically, at an outside surface  80  of the outer wrapper  18  and at an inside surface  82  of the inner liner  16 . In this manner, the medial buffer layer  34  and the outer adhesive  32  extends from an outside edge  84  of the trim breaker  14  to an outside surface  80  of the outer wrapper  18  and also from an inside edge  86  of the trim breaker  14  to an inside surface  82  of the inner liner  16 . In such an embodiment, it is contemplated that at least a portion of the insulation material  68  can at least partially engage the base adhesive  30  within the insulating cavity  28 . At these outer portions of the trim breaker  14 , the outer adhesive  32  is free of direct contact with the base adhesive  30 . In general, where the base adhesives  30  are chemically incompatible or at least partially incompatible, the medial buffer layer  34  will be installed therebetween such that the outer adhesive  32  is free of direct contact with the base adhesive  30 . To maintain the spacing and positioning of the trim breaker  14  and the channel  12 , a pedal  100  holds the trim breaker  14  in a substantially fixed position. 
     In various embodiments, it is contemplated that the inner liner  16  and/or outer wrapper  18  can include a dedicated port that can be used for disposing the outer adhesive  32  and/or the medial buffer layer  34  over the base adhesive  30  and within the insulating cavity  28 . Typically, the outer adhesive  32  and the medial buffer layer  34  will be disposed only proximate the exterior surface  90  of the cabinet  20  and between the trim breaker  14  and the inner liner  16  and the trim breaker  14  and the outer wrapper  18 . In this position, the composite encapsulation system  10  that incorporates the base adhesive  30 , the outer adhesive  32  and, in certain embodiments, the medial buffer layer  34 , is positioned to significantly reduce the permeation of gas  72  and vapor into the insulating cavity  28 . In turn, the composite encapsulation system  10  extends the duration of the at least partial vacuum  74  within the insulating cavity  28  and prolongs the life of the insulating functionality of the cabinet  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 - 11   , having described various aspects of the composite encapsulation system  10 , a method  400  is disclosed for forming an insulating cabinet  20  for an appliance  22 . According to the method  400 , a base adhesive  30  is delivered while in an uncured state  44  into a channel  12  of a trim breaker  14  (step  402 ). A liner edge  24  of the inner liner  16  is disposed into the channel  12  so that the adhesive base in the uncured state  44  surrounds both sides  46  of the liner edge  24  within the channel  12  (step  404 ). A wrapper edge  26  of an outer wrapper  18  is also disposed into the channel  12  so that the base adhesive  30  in the uncured state  44  surrounds both sides  46  of the wrapper edge  26  within the channel  12  (step  406 ). The base adhesive  30  is then cured (step  408 ). An outer adhesive  32  can be disposed over the base adhesive  30  (step  410 ). It is contemplated that the outer adhesive  32  covers the adhesive base and engages the outer wrapper  18  and inner liner  16  at the trim breaker  14 . The outer adhesive  32  is then cured to define the composite encapsulation system  10  (step  412 ). The base adhesive  30  and the outer adhesive  32  each define structural and sealing components of the composite encapsulation system  10  that cooperate to reduce the permeation of gas  72  and vapor into the insulating cavity  28  of the cabinet  20 . According to various aspects of the method  400 , as exemplified in  FIGS.  1 - 11   , an insulation material  68  can be disposed within the insulating cavity  28  defined between the inner liner  16  and the outer wrapper  18  (step  414 ). Gas  72  can then be expressed from the insulating cavity  28  and the insulation material  68  defined within the insulating cavity  28  (step  416 ). In this manner, the expression or expulsion of gas  72  from the insulating cavity  28  defines an at least partial vacuum  74  therein. The base adhesive  30  and the outer adhesive  32  are at least partially elastic to provide for an at least partial movement of the inner liner  16  and the outer wrapper  18  without damaging or degrading the integrity of the encapsulation system  10 . This movement is permitted while also maintaining the hermetic seal between the inner liner  16  and the trim breaker  14  and between the outer wrapper  18  and the trim breaker  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 - 10  and  12   , a method  500  is disclosed for forming an insulating cabinet  20  for an appliance  22 . According to the method  500 , a base adhesive  30  is delivered in an uncured state  44  to the liner channel  40  and the wrapper channel  42  of the trim breaker  14  (step  502 ). The liner edge  24  of the inner liner  16  is disposed into the liner channel  40  (step  504 ). In this manner, the base adhesive  30  in the uncured state  44  and within the liner channel  40  is allowed to surround both sides  46  of the liner edge  24  within the liner channel  40 . The wrapper edge  26  of the outer wrapper  18  is disposed into the wrapper channel  42  (step  506 ). Accordingly, the base adhesive  30  in the uncured state  44  which is disposed within the wrapper channel  42 , surrounds both sides  46  of the wrapper edge  26  within the wrapper channel  42 . The base adhesive  30  within the liner and wrapper channels  40 ,  42  is cured to define a structural adhesive component and also includes a sealing function for limiting permeation of gas  72  and vapor into the insulating cavity  28  of the cabinet  20  (step  508 ). Once the base adhesive  30  is cured, a medial buffer layer  34  is disposed onto at least a portion of the base adhesive  30  in the cured state  48  (step  510 ). As discussed previously, the medial buffer layer  34  is included where the base adhesive  30  and the outer adhesive  32  have chemical formulations that may be at least partially incompatible and may result in degradation of one or both of the base and outer adhesives  30 ,  32 . After placement of the medial buffer layer  34 , the outer adhesive  32  is disposed over the medial buffer layer  34  (step  512 ). 
     According to the various embodiments, as exemplified in  FIGS.  1 - 10  and  12   , typically, the outer adhesive  32  extends from an outside edge  84  of the trim breaker  14  to an outside surface  80  of the outer wrapper  18  and also extends from an inside edge  86  of the trim breaker  14  to an inside surface  82  of the inner liner  16 . The outer adhesive  32  is then cured (step  514 ). The outer adhesive  32 , once cured, cooperates with the base adhesive  30  and the medial buffer layer  34  to define a composite encapsulation system  10  having the structural adhesive capability and also sealing capability. Each of the base adhesive  30  and the outer adhesive  32  have structural and sealing components that limit permeation of gas  72  and vapor into the insulating cavity  28 , even after a failure of one of the base and outer adhesives  30 ,  32 . The combination of the base and outer adhesives  30 ,  32  defines a greater resistance to permeation of gas  72  and vapor. Accordingly, the outer adhesive  32  may be adapted to include a greater resistance to degradation or delamination during exposure to the outside atmosphere surrounding the cabinet  20  as compared to the base adhesive  30 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 10  and  12   , the method  500  includes a step  516  of disposing insulation material  68  within an insulating cavity  28  defined between an inner liner  16  and the outer wrapper  18 . The insulation material  68  can be disposed within an insulating cavity  28  during installation of the inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18 . In such an embodiment, the insulation material  68  can be disposed between the inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18 . The inner liner  16 , outer wrapper  18  and insulation material  68  can then be disposed as a unit into the channel  12 , or channels  12  of the trim breaker  14 . It is also contemplated that the insulation material  68  can be disposed around the inner liner  16  after the inner liner  16  has been disposed within the liner channel  40  of the trim breaker  14 . The insulation material  68  can then be disposed around the inner liner  16  and the outer wrapper  18  can then be disposed around the insulation material  68  to dispose the insulation material  68  within the insulating cavity  28 . The insulation material  68  can also be disposed within the insulating cavity  28  after the composite encapsulation system  10  has been fully formed and cured. In such an embodiment, one of the inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18  can include an insulation port through which an insulating material can be poured, blown, or otherwise disposed within the insulating cavity  28 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1 - 10  and  12   , after installation of the insulation material  68 , gas  72  can be expressed from the insulating cavity  28  in the insulation material  68  defined within the insulating cavity  28  (step  518 ). This expression or expulsion of gas  72  serves to define an at least partial vacuum  74  within the insulating cavity  28 . It is contemplated that the base and outer adhesives  30 ,  32 , as well as the medial buffer layer  34 , can have some elastic properties, such that the composite encapsulation system  10  permits at least partial movement of the inner liner  16  and outer wrapper  18  while maintaining the hermetic seal between the inner liner  16  and the trim breaker  14  and between the outer wrapper  18  and the trim breaker  14 . 
     According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that the composite encapsulation system  10  described herein can be incorporated within various appliances  22  and fixtures that utilize a vacuum insulation structure. Such appliances  22  can include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, coolers, ovens, water heaters, dishwashers, laundry appliances, combinations thereof, and other similar appliances  22  and fixtures disposed within household and commercial settings. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described device and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the device disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise. 
     The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.