Patent Publication Number: US-2023160121-A1

Title: Single layered garment fabric

Description:
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
     An example embodiment relates generally to manufacturing fabric, and more particularly, example embodiments relate to manufacturing single layered fabric. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Modern engineered textiles used in garments, such as bra garments are defined by the one or more measurable functional attributes of performance. In various embodiments, delivering high performance textiles materials across multiple measurable functional attributes may be difficult. As the requirements of these attributes increased the complexity and the negative attributes increased due to complex assembly techniques or the contrasting nature of the attributes could not be produced harmoniously to coexist on the same garments. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified problems have been solved by developing solutions that are included in embodiments of the present disclosure, many examples of which are described in detail herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements nor delineate the scope of such elements. Its purpose is to present some concepts of the described features in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     In an example embodiment, a method of manufacturing a single layer garment is provided. The method may include providing a single layer of textile material with low melt yarn. The method may also include forming the structure of the single layer of textile material using selective heating to provide material support. 
     In some embodiments, the textile material are formed via at least one of a molding machine or a robotic hot air machine. In some embodiments, the forming of the textile material via the molding machine includes removably attaching the textile material to a bottom plate, wherein the bottom plate is configured with one or more bottom plate inserts configured to receive the textile material; cold molding the textile material, wherein the cold molding creates the three dimensional profile of the garment; and selective heat molding the textile material based on the function of the garment. In such an embodiment, the selectively heated portions of the textile material provide at least one of fit or support to the garment. In some embodiments, the textile material is removably attached to the bottom plate via clamps or pins. In some embodiments, the bottom plate includes a suction bed configured to pull the textile material into the bottom plate mold. In some embodiments, the cold molding takes place in an automated chilling unit. In some embodiments, the selective heat molding the textile material based on the function of the garment include engaging a top plate configured with one or more heated portions with the textile material. In such an embodiment, the textile material is positioned between the top plate and bottom plate during the hot molding process. 
     In some embodiments, the forming of the textile material via the hot air machine includes removably attaching the textile material to a bottom plate. In such an embodiment, the bottom plate is configured with one or more bottom plate inserts configured to receive the textile material. In some embodiments, the forming of the textile material via the hot air machine also includes selective heat molding the textile material based on the function of the garment. In such an embodiment, the selectively heated portions of the textile material provide support to the garment. In some embodiments, the forming of the textile material via the hot air machine further includes curing the textile material on a mold. 
     In some embodiments, the textile material is removably attached to the bottom plate via clamps or pins. In some embodiments, the selective heat molding the textile material based on the function of the garment includes applying hot air, via a hot air nozzle, to specific portions of the textile material. In some embodiments, the hot air nozzle is operatively coupled to a hot air movable head and the hot air moveable head is configured to move in at least one of an x direction, a y direction, a z direction, or rotationally. In some embodiments, at least one of the hot air nozzle size or the air flow is adjustable. In some embodiments, the method also includes cutting the garment into a final pattern after the textile material is selectively heated. In some embodiments, the textile material further includes a textile yarn and a stretch yarn. In some embodiments, the textile material is a jacquard material. In some embodiments, the selective heat is between the melting point of the low melt yarn and the non-low melt yarn. The manufactured textile material is also provided herein. 
     The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those here summarized, some of which will be further described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  illustrate two example textile materials made using a Jacquard knit in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates an example bra garment with varying zones based on the desired shape and function of the bra garment in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a flow chart showing the operation of an example embodiment for manufacturing a single layer garment in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a flow chart of the operations of forming the structure of the single layer of textile material using selective heating to provide material support in an instance in which a molding machine is used in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a flow chart of the operations of forming the structure of the single layer of textile material using selective heating to provide material support in an instance in which a hot air machine is used in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5 A-F  are various components of a molding machine for use in various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates the hot air machine of an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  7    illustrates the heated portions of a bra garment in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some but not all embodiments are shown. Indeed, these various embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, terms such as “front,” “rear,” “top,” etc. are used for explanatory purposes in the examples provided below to describe the relative position of certain components or portions of components. Furthermore, as would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” indicate that the referenced element or associated description is accurate to within applicable engineering tolerances. 
     The components illustrated in the figures represent components that may or may not be present in various embodiments of the disclosure described herein such that embodiments may include fewer or more components than those shown in the figures while not departing from the scope of the disclosure. Some components may be omitted from one or more figures or shown in dashed line for visibility of the underlying components. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not prelude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so denied herein. 
     The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the various embodiments and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. While various embodiments discussed herein are directed at an adjustable bra garment, the present disclosure may also apply to other garments. 
     Overview 
     Performance apparel is a segment of apparel which has seen continuous growth in the last decade due to changes in lifestyles in major markets including pants, jackets, bras, tops, t-shirts, etc. Such engineered textiles are defined by the one or more measurable functional attributes of performance which helps consumers obtain an advantage against a non-performance apparel. 
     As the requirements of these attributes has increased, the complexity and the negative attributes increased due to complex assembly techniques and/or the contrasting nature of the attributes not being capable of being produced harmoniously on the same garments. Therefore, complex assembly has been required including using multiple fabrics with various attributes and varying degrees of functional aspects of stability, support and compression required. Additional processes, such as printing or sewing or bonding may also be used, to obtain the desired attributes. 
     Engineered knit textiles and textiles composites help to alleviate some of these issues, but engineered knits due to inherent stretch could not provide stable support and composites compromised fit and comfort due to non-stretch or low stretch behavior
         Various embodiments of the present disclosure, due to its unique yarn blend and the heating process, has created a single layer fabric, which has high stretch and stable locked out zones side by side without compromising comfort, fit, and moisture management properties in a single layer. Various embodiments allow for ultra-high-performance apparel from a single layer of fabric with stable support, compression, fit, and comfort, while having moisture management in all areas of the garment. For example, as discussed herein, a single layer customized support (low medium or high) sports bra can be made from a single layer of fabric with a stable locked out area localized to any area of the bra as appropriate (e.g., front, cradle, sides, back, straps, etc.) with encapsulating three-dimensional shaping, while the rest of the areas can have high stretch. Such garment may also the retain moisture management properties in all areas of the garment. For example, the moisture management may be achieved in the heated area based on a diffusion or a diffusion and capillary action in combination based on the heat process applied.       

       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  illustrate example textile materials (e.g., a Jacquard weave) used in various operations discussed herein. In some embodiments, Jacquard materials may have a wide range of structures, materials, and properties. As such Jacquard materials may be used in a variety of products. As examples, knit components may be utilized in apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, socks, jackets, undergarments, footwear), athletic equipment (e.g., golf bags, baseball and football gloves, soccer ball restriction structures), containers (e.g., backpacks, bags), and upholstery for furniture (e.g., chairs, couches, car seats). Various textile materials, such as knit components, may also be used in bed coverings (e.g., sheets, blankets), table coverings, towels, flags, tents, sails, and parachutes. Additionally, knit components may be used as technical textiles for industrial purposes, including structures for automotive and aerospace applications, filter materials, medical textiles (e.g., bandages, swabs, implants), geotextiles for reinforcing embankments, geotextiles for crop protection, and industrial apparel that protects or insulates against heat and radiation. Accordingly, knit components may be incorporated into a variety of products for both personal and industrial purposes. 
     Various embodiments discussed herein may use a Jacquard structure of single layer-integrated Textile material. As shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , in various embodiments, the textile material may have a combination of low temperature melt yarns E 1 , standard textile yarn E 3 , and high tenacity yarn E 2  (e.g., stretch yarn). For example, the low temperature melt yarn may be a thermoplastic nylon, polyester, and/or polyurethane material. In some embodiments, the standard textile yarn may be a spun or filament yarn of natural or synthetic origin. In some embodiments, the high tenacity yarn may be a yarn with tenacity higher than 60 centinewtons per tex (cN/Tex), in some embodiments spandex or Elastane stretch yarn can be of polyester urethane or polyether urethane. In various embodiments, the textile material may be configured to be customized to create fully locked, partially locked, as well as high stretch/low stretch support compression zones with moisture management property in an instance in which the textile material is heat processed. In some embodiments, the processes discussed herein may create engineered jacquard garments with customized fit and performance. In various embodiments, the configuration of the Jacquard material may affect the performance of the textile material. For example, the low-melt yarn E 1  may be configured to melt in certain portions of the textile material to provide additional support at said portions. The Jacquard knit shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are for illustration purpose and may be used in various garments. The knit jacquard patterns are limited by the machine mechanical and patterning software, but may be varied based on the desired structure of the garment. In various embodiments, different machines may differentiate the structure and the technique used to knit in the yarn combination and the result may vary as well (e.g.,  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  have the same pattern with different yarn layouts). 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an example bra garment with varying zones based on the desired shape and function of the bra garment. As shown in  FIG.  2   , the elastic module throughout a textile material may vary based on the Jacquard knit. In some embodiments, the shaded area  210  may be a heat locked area of the bra garment. In some embodiments, the shaded area  200  may be a jacquard knit that has been heat locked. In some embodiments, the shaded area  220  and the shaded area  230  may be a jacquard knit that has not been locked out. In various embodiments, the elastic module may be higher in shaded area  210  than in shaded area  200 . In various embodiments, the elastic module may be higher in shaded area  200  than in shaded area  220 . In various embodiments, the elastic module may be higher in shaded area  220  than in shaded area  230 . 
       FIG.  3    is a flow chart showing the operation of an example embodiment for manufacturing a single layer garment. Referring now to Block  300  of  FIG.  3   , the method includes providing a single layer of textile material with low melt yarn. As discussed above in reference to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the textile material may be a Jacquard weave. In various embodiments, the textile material may be a single layer combination of a low melt yarn, a standard textile yarn, Spandex or elastane and a high tenacity yarn. The method may include knitting the textile material with a low-melt yarn and a non-low-melt yarn to locate the melt yarn on middle of the material. In such an embodiment, the low-melt yarn may be able to bond with inner non-low-melt yarns and make required locking effect. In some embodiments, the bonded component may be heated to form a thermal bond between a thermoplastic polymer material of the low-melt yarn and the bonded other inner yarns such as Textile yarn and high tenacity yarn (e.g., stretch yarns). 
     Referring now to Block  310  of  FIG.  3   , the method also includes forming the structure of the single layer of textile material using selective heating to provide material support. In various embodiments, the structure of the textile material may be formed via at least one of a molding machine or a hot air machine. In an instance in which the textile material is formed via the molding machine, the method of forming the structure are discussed in more detail in reference to  FIG.  4 A . In an instance in which the textile material is formed via the hot air machine, the operations are discussed in more detail in reference to  FIG.  4 B . In various embodiments, the selective heat may be between the melting point of the low melt yarn and the non-low melt yarn (e.g., textile yarn and/or high tenacity yarn). In various embodiments, other methods of heating may be used that allows for the heat to be applied to specific areas. 
       FIG.  4 A  is a flow chart of the operations of forming the structure of the single layer of textile material using selective heating to provide material support in an instance in which a molding machine is used.  FIG.  5 A- 5 F  illustrate a molding machine of an example manufacturing method. As shown in  FIG.  5 A , the molding machine may include a top plate C 1 , a clamp C 2 , a chilling unit C 3 , and a bottom plate C 4 . In some embodiments, as discussed below in reference to  FIG.  5 F , the top plate C 1  may include one or more heated zones A 10  and one or more unheated zones A 15  configured to selectively heat the textile material during operation. In various embodiments, the clamp C 2  may be configured to engage with the pin A 1  of the bottom plate C 4  to hold the textile material in place during operation. In some embodiments, the clamp C 2  may be two dimensional or three dimensional (e.g., restrict the motion of the textile material in two or three directions). In some embodiments, other attachment methods may be contemplated for the textile material. In some embodiments, the bottom plate C 4  may include one or more bottom plate inserts configured with suction beds to pull the textile material into said bottom plate inserts. In some embodiments, the chilling unit C 3  may be automated to chill the cold mold A 8  (shown in  FIG.  5 E ). In various embodiments, the chilling unit C 3  may be approximately at or below room temperature during operation. In various embodiments, during operations, the heat from textile material may need to be absorbed by the cold mold A 8  in order for the textile material to experience a lasting (e.g., permanent) molding effect. In various embodiments, the lower temperature of the chilling unit C 3  may reduce chilling time and improve productivity of the method. 
     Referring now to Block  400  of  FIG.  4 A , the method of forming the structure of the single layer of textile material with a molding machine includes removably attaching the textile material to a bottom plate. In various embodiments, the bottom plate  500  may be configured with one or more bottom plate inserts  510  (shown in  FIG.  5   ) configured to receive the textile material. In some embodiments, the bottom plate  500  may be configured with one or more suction beds configured to pull the textile material into the bottom plate inserts. In some embodiments, the textile material is removably attached to the bottom plate via clamps or pins.  FIGS.  5 B and  5 C  show the bottom plate C 4  of the molding machine in accordance with an example embodiment. As shown in  FIG.  5 B , the single layered textile may be placed on the bottom plate C 4 . For example, the textile material A 2  may need to be oriented such that the textile material is positioned on the bottom plate C 4 . In various embodiments, the bottom plate C 4  may have one or more pins A 1  configured to engage with a clamp C 2  (shown in  FIG.  5 A ). In various embodiments, the pins A 1  and clamp C 2  may be configured to hold the textile material A 2  in place during the operations discussed herein. In various embodiments, the attachment means for holding the textile material A 2  into place using may be pins, manual clamp, a clamp using a robotic arm, and/or the like, based on the type of textile material. 
     Referring now to Block  410  of  FIG.  4 A , the method of forming the structure of the single layer of textile material with a molding machine includes cold molding the textile material. In some embodiments, the cold molding creates the three-dimensional profile of the garment. In some embodiments, the cold molding takes place in an automated chilling unit. In various embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  5 D , the bottom plate may be configured with one or more cooling lines, configured to cool the bottom plate, such that the textile material may be cold molded as discussed herein. In some embodiments, the chilling unit C 3  may be configured to cool the cold mold A 8  shown in  FIG.  5 D . As such, during the cold molding process, the cold mold A 8  may be placed on the textile material A 2 , such that the textile material A 2  is positioned between the cold mold and the bottom plate C 4 . 
     Referring now to Block  420  of  FIG.  4 A , the method of forming the structure of the single layer of textile material with a molding machine includes selective heat molding the textile material based on the function of the garment. In some embodiments, the selectively heated portions of the textile material provide support to the garment. In some embodiments, the selective heat molding the textile material based on the function of the garment includes engaging a top plate configured with one or more heated portions with the textile material. In such an embodiment, the textile material is positioned between the top plate and bottom plate during the hot molding process. As shown in  FIG.  5 F , the top plate C 1  may include both heat zones A 10  and non-heated zones A 15  configured to selectively provide heat to certain portions of the textile material. In various embodiments, the cold mod A 8  may be fixed (e.g., engaged with the textile material) during the selective heating process. In some embodiments, the heated zones may be from approximately 150 degrees Celsius to approximately 180 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the hot molding may occur for approximately 30 seconds to approximately 60 seconds (e.g., the heated zones may be engaged with the textile material for 30 second to 60 seconds). In various embodiments, the pressure of the top plate C 1  on the textile material may be from approximately 4 bars to 6 bars. In various embodiments, the textile material A 2  may be removed from the molding machine upon completion and allowed to cure before being cut into the desired garment shape. 
       FIG.  4 B  is a flow chart of the operations of forming the structure of the single layer of textile material using selective heating to provide material support in an instance in which a hot air machine is used.  FIG.  6    illustrates the hot air machine of an example manufacturing method discussed herein. As shown in  FIG.  6   , in some embodiments, the hot air machine  600  may include a hot air mechanism (e.g., a hot air generator B 1  configured with a hot air nozzle B 2  attached to a moveable hot air arm), a bottom plate (e.g., a suction bed) B 3 , and a removeable mold B 4 . In various embodiments, the hot air mechanism may include a frame B 5  configured to support the hot air generator B 1  and hot air nozzle B 2  during operation. In some embodiments, the hot air nozzle B 2  may be operatively coupled to a hot air movable head. In some embodiments, the hot air moveable head may be configured to move in at least one of an x direction, a y direction, and/or a z direction. Additionally or alternatively, the hot air moveable head may be able to rotate (e.g., 360 degree rotation). In some embodiments, the hot air moveable head may an automated robotic arm (e.g., with the hot air nozzle B 2  attached moveable in 5 dimensions). In some embodiments, at least one of the hot air nozzle size or the air flow may be adjustable. For example, the air flow rate and/or air flow velocity may be changed to provide different amount of heat to different portions of the textile material. 
     Referring now to Block  450  of  FIG.  4 B , the method of forming the structure of the single layer of textile material with the hot air machine includes removably attaching the textile material to a bottom plate. In various embodiments, the bottom plate is configured with one or more bottom plate inserts configured to receive the textile material. In some embodiments, the textile material is removably attached to the bottom plate via clamps and/or pins. In various embodiments, the textile material may be removably attached to the bottom plate B 3  in the same way the textile material may be removably attached to the bottom plate C 4  of the molding machine discussed in reference to  FIG.  4 A  above. 
     Referring now to Block  460  of  FIG.  4 B , the method of forming the structure of the single layer of textile material with the hot air machine includes selective heat molding the textile material based on the function of the garment. In some embodiments, selectively heated portions of the textile material provide support to the garment. In some embodiments, the selective heat molding the textile material based on the function of the garment comprises: applying hot air, via a hot air nozzle, to specific portions of the textile material. As discussed above, the hot air nozzle B 2  may move, via the hot air moveable arm, to various positions on the textile material, such that the hot air nozzle B 2  only provides heat to specific zones of the textile material. During operation, the textile garment may be placed on the mold B 4 . For example, the mold B 4  may be used to define the shape of the textile material while heat is being added via the hot air nozzle B 2 . In various embodiments, the mold B 4  may be three dimensional and define the negative of the desired shape of the textile material. In various embodiments, the three-dimensional shape of the textile material may be based on the mold B 4 . For example, the mold B 4  may be made out of clay, wood, or the like. 
     Referring now to Block  470  of  FIG.  4 B , the method of forming the structure of the single layer of textile material with the hot air machine includes curing the textile material on mold B 4 . For example, upon completion of the selective heating (e.g., Block  460 ), the textile material may remain on the mold B 4  in order to cool and maintain the desired shape of the textile material. In various embodiments, the suction beds of the bottom plate B 3  may be used to assist the cooling and curing process. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates the heated portions of a bra garment in accordance with an example embodiment. For example, heat may be applied to the shaded areas. In such an embodiment, the shaded areas  700  experience a locking effect compared with the non-shaded areas. In some embodiments, the locking effect may provide support in order to create a high supportive garment. Various other heating patterns may be contemplated based on the desired support areas of a given garment. The bra garment shown in  FIG.  7    may be obtained by any heating process discussed herein (e.g., molding machine and/or robotic hot air machine). 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Example Method of Present 
                 Example Method of Present 
               
               
                   
                 Disclosure using Molding 
                 Disclosure using Hot Air 
               
               
                 Normal Molding Process 
                 Machine 
                 Machine 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Mounting mold to 
                 Not mounting molds to the 
                 Mounting to the air 
               
               
                 machine 
                 molding machine but set parallel 
                 suction bed 
               
               
                   
                 to molding machine in separate 
               
               
                   
                 chiller unit 
               
               
                 Preheating molds prior to 
                 Do not heat mold and are use as is 
                 Use hot air flow 
               
               
                 molding 
                 without preheating 
               
               
                 Clamp to hold the material 
                 Clamp to hold the material prior 
                 Clamp to hold the 
               
               
                 prior to molding 
                 to molding 
                 material prior to air 
               
               
                   
                   
                 applying 
               
               
                 Pressed down pre heated 
                 Pick and place the non-heated 
               
               
                 mold for molding to crate 
                 molds on to a fabric and press 
               
               
                 3D shape 
                 down to achieve cup depth 
               
               
                 Pick the molded panel and 
                 Press down “zonal heated top 
                 Applying air floor by 
               
               
                 rest for curing on 3D 
                 plate” for thermal pressing 
                 using 5D movable air 
               
               
                 profile 
                 (approximately 30-60 seconds) to 
                 flow nozzle 
               
               
                   
                 be able to lock out the required 
               
               
                   
                 areas of the knitted material 
               
               
                   
                 Pick and replace mold back in 
               
               
                   
                 chiller unit 
               
               
                   
                 Release heated plate back 
               
               
                   
                 Pick the panel and keep for curing 
                 Pick the panel and 
               
               
                   
                 on 3D profile 
                 keep for curing on 3D 
               
               
                   
                   
                 profile 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure allow for a single layer garment that allows for support, compression, stretch, modulus, moisture management, hardness, three dimensional shape, defined thickness, and 
     Although the various embodiments have been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these disclosures pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosures are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.