Patent Publication Number: US-10317138-B2

Title: Baffle systems and methods of replacing baffle seal strips

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and convention priority from U.S. patent application No. 62/174,119 entitled REMOVABLE BAFFLE SYSTEMS FOR WOOD VENEER DRYERS AND METHOD OF REPLACING OR ADJUSTING BAFFLES OF SAME and filed on 11 Jun. 2015 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to baffle systems for conveyor-type dryers and methods of replacing baffle seal strips. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Single and multiple deck conveyor dryers for reducing the moisture content of sheet materials, including green (i.e. wet) wood veneer, wherein the material being dried is conveyed through a stationary drying chamber while heated gases are circulated through the drying chamber, are well-known in the art. Evaporation of moisture from the material being dried causes a build-up of steam within the dryer and creates a positive pressure differential within the dryer relative to the external atmosphere. Disposal of large amounts of gases containing volatile organic compounds (V.O.C.) which are evolved from the wood veneer during drying has been a major problem in the wood veneer drying art. Typically, gases are removed by an exhaust system and, in some systems, are exhausted directly to the atmosphere. By allowing gases to be exhausted directly to the atmosphere, pollutants have been allowed to escape and considerable quantities of heat energy are lost which is a considerable cost expense. 
     It is desirable to control the exhaust of gases from a wood veneer dryer to optimize the drying efficiency of the dryer and to provide a means for containing and treating the exhaust gases prior to discharge into the atmosphere. Such means include installing a V.O.C. separating device such as a catalytic or thermal oxidizer in the exhaust system. Such devices are well-known in the art. 
     If the drying process is not carefully controlled and optimized, untreated gases (i.e. gases containing V.O.C.) within a dryer will be discharged through not only the exhaust system, but through input and output ends of the dryer due to the positive pressure differential within the dryer. This presents real environmental concerns and health and safety hazards to workers. Prior art dryers have other disadvantages, including a loss of efficiency due to the entrance of air at ambient temperature into the dryer through input and output ends if a negative pressure differential is created within the dryer relative to the external atmosphere if gases are exhausted too quickly. Entrance of cooler ambient air reduces the temperature of the dryer, wasting a considerable amount of energy to reheat the dryer and resulting in pitch (i.e. condensed V.O.C. material) build-up within the dryer. This is an obvious fire hazard. Attempts have been made to control the inflow and outflow of gases through the input and output ends of wood veneer dryers using stop-offs or baffles. An example of one such attempt to improve wood veneer dryer efficiency and safety is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,930. However, with use, the stop-offs or baffles wear and the inflow and outflow of gases from the input and output ends of the dryer increases. To replace or adjust the worn stop-offs or baffles, the operator is required to stop operation of the wood veneer dryer to gain access to the stop-offs or baffles inside the dryer once the dryer has cooled. To access the worn stop-offs or baffles, one or more of dryer rollers, jet tubes, and conveyor chains of the dryer must be removed. Typically, about three operators are required to then remove the heavy stop-off or baffle. The process to replace or adjust worn stop-offs or baffles typically takes approximately 16 to 20 hours. The time the dryer spends in repair and/or is otherwise nonoperational, the required manpower, and the energy required to return a dryer to wood veneer drying temperatures, present significant costs. 
     There is accordingly a need in the art for a wood veneer dryer wherein the inflow of cooler ambient air into the dryer and/or the outflow of gases from inside the dryer are controlled to reduce energy consumption by the dryer, prevent the build-up of pitch within the dryer, and/or prevent the outflow of gases containing V.O.C. from the dryer before treatment in the exhaust system. 
     The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools, and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements. 
     To address the foregoing, the present invention provides removable baffle systems to mechanically seal a dryer and substantially restrict the inflow and/or outflow of gases from the input and output ends of the dryer and/or various dryer chambers. Methods of replacing and adjusting a baffle seal strip are further provided by the invention to address the foregoing. 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a baffle system for use with a dryer. The dryer includes at least one roller for supporting and conveying a material to be dried therethrough. The baffle system includes at least one dryer tube and a baffle removeably mountable to each dryer tube. Each dryer tube extends laterally from a first dryer wall to a second dryer wall inside the dryer, perpendicularly to a direction of travel of the material to be dried through the dryer. Each baffle comprises a body and at least one seal strip removeably attached to an end of the body. Each seal strip is positioned in sealing engagement with at least one roller when the baffle is removeably mounted inside the dryer. 
     In some embodiments, the baffle includes a baffle tube extending lengthwise through the body for receiving the dryer tube and removeably mounting the baffle inside the dryer. 
     In some embodiments, the baffle rests on the dryer tube when the baffle is removeably mounted inside the dryer. The baffle may comprise at least one baffle guide for guiding the baffle along the dryer tube when the baffle is removed from and/or inserted into the dryer. 
     In some embodiments, each dryer tube is vertically-aligned at one or more of an input end of the dryer, an output end of the dryer, an input end of a dryer chamber, and an output end of a dryer chamber. 
     In some embodiments, each dryer tube is attached at a first end to the first dryer wall and extends at least halfway between the first dryer wall and the second dryer wall. The dryer tube may be attached at a second end to the second dryer wall. 
     In some embodiments, the baffle is insulated. 
     In some embodiments, the baffle system includes at least one dryer guide attached to the dryer for supporting and guiding each baffle when the baffle is inserted into and/or removed from the dryer. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one seal strip includes a first seal strip attached to a first end of the body. The at least one seal strip may further include a second seal strip attached to a second end of the body opposed to the first end. 
     In some embodiments, each dryer tube is positioned such that when the corresponding baffle is removeably mounted thereto the first seal strip is positioned in sealing engagement with the at least one roller of the dryer. 
     In some embodiments, each dryer tube is positioned between an upper pinch roll assembly of the dryer and a lower pinch roll assembly of the dryer such that when the corresponding baffle is removeably mounted thereto the first seal strip is positioned in sealing engagement with a lower pinch roller of the upper pinch roll assembly and the second seal strip is positioned in sealing engagement with an upper pinch roller of the lower pinch roll assembly. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a dryer comprising a baffle system. The dryer includes at least one roller for supporting and conveying a material to be dried therethrough. The baffle system includes at least one dryer tube and a baffle removeably mountable to each dryer tube. Each dryer tube extends laterally from a first dryer wall to a second dryer wall inside the dryer, perpendicularly to a direction of travel of the material to be dried through the dryer. Each baffle comprises a body and at least one seal strip removeably attached to an end of the body. Each seal strip is positioned in sealing engagement with at least one roller when the baffle is removeably mounted inside the dryer. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a baffle system for use with a dryer. The dryer includes at least one roller for supporting and conveying a material to be dried through the dryer. The baffle system includes at least one baffle removeably mountable to the dryer. Each baffle includes a body and at least one seal strip removeably attached to an end of the body. Each seal strip is positioned in sealing engagement with the at least one roller when the baffle is removeably mounted inside the dryer. 
     In some embodiments, each baffle is vertically-aligned at one or more of an input end of the dryer, an output end of the dryer, an input end of a dryer chamber, and an output end of a dryer chamber. 
     In some embodiments, each baffle is insulated. 
     In some embodiments, the baffle system includes at least one guide attached to the dryer for supporting and guiding each baffle when the baffle is inserted into or removed from the dryer. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one seal strip includes a first seal strip attached to a first end of the body. The at least one seal strip may include a second seal strip attached to a second end of the body opposed to the first end. 
     In some embodiments, each baffle is mountable inside the dryer such that the first seal strip is positioned in sealing engagement with the at least one roller of the dryer. 
     In some embodiments, each baffle is mountable inside the dryer such that the first seal strip is positioned in sealing engagement with a lower pinch roller of an upper pinch roll assembly of the dryer and the second seal strip is positioned in sealing engagement with an upper pinch roller of a lower pinch roll assembly of the dryer. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a dryer comprising a baffle system. The dryer includes at least one roller for supporting and conveying a material to be dried through the dryer. The baffle system includes at least one baffle removeably mountable to the dryer. Each baffle includes a body and at least one seal strip removeably attached to an end of the body. Each seal strip is positioned in sealing engagement with the at least one roller when the baffle is removeably mounted inside the dryer. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of replacing and/or adjusting a seal strip inside a dryer. The dryer includes at least one roller for supporting and conveying a material to be dried through the dryer. A first baffle is removed from the dryer by sliding the baffle through a manifold. A second baffle is inserted into the dryer by sliding the baffle through the manifold such that at least one seal strip of the second baffle is positioned in sealing engagement with the at least one roller of the dryer. 
     In some embodiments, the first baffle is removed from the dryer by removing a dryer tube from a first baffle tube of the first baffle and the second baffle is installed in the dryer by inserting the dryer tube into a second baffle tube of the second baffle. 
     In some embodiments, the first baffle is removed from the dryer by sliding the first baffle across a dryer tube inside the dryer and the second baffle is installed into the dryer by sliding the second baffle across the dryer tube. 
     In some embodiments, at least one seal strip is removed from the first baffle and at least one new seal strip is removeably attached to the baffle. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one seal strip is adjusted. 
     In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed are to be considered illustrative of the invention rather than restrictive. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a baffle system according to an example embodiment, wherein the baffle system is installed in a wood veneer dryer. 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmented side elevation view of the baffle system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a partial front elevation view of the baffle system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the baffle system shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein a baffle is partially removed from or partially installed in a wood veneer dryer. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the baffle system shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein a baffle is completely removed from a wood veneer dryer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense. 
     Unless context dictates otherwise, “input end” (as used herein in relation to a dryer and components thereof) means the end wherein a material to be dried is introduced into one or more of the dryer, an input end seal chamber, a drying chamber, an intermediary chamber, and a cooling chamber. 
     Unless context dictates otherwise, “output end” (as used herein in relation to a dryer and components thereof) means the end opposite to the input end, i.e. the end wherefrom a dried material exits one or more of the dryer, an input end seal chamber, a drying chamber, an intermediary chamber, and a cooling chamber. 
     Unless context dictates otherwise, “direction of travel” (as used herein) means a direction in which a material to be dried travels from an input end to an output end of a dryer, i.e. the direction from left to right in view of the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Unless context dictates otherwise, “chamber” (as used herein) means one or more of a drying chamber, an intermediary chamber, and a cooling chamber. 
     Some embodiments of the present invention provide baffle systems and methods of replacing or adjusting worn seal strips for improving dryer safety and/or efficiency. The systems include one or more baffles removeably mounted to the dryer at one or more of an input end, an output end, an input end of a dryer chamber, and an output end of a dryer chamber. Each baffle has at least one seal strip for contacting a roller of the dryer to prevent gases from entering and/or exiting the dryer. The baffles are removable from the dryer so that the seal strips can be replaced and/or adjusted when the seal between a given seal strip and a contacting roller becomes compromised. To replace and/or adjust a seal strip, the baffle is removed from the dryer and a new baffle is installed in its place. Each seal strip of the new baffle contacts a dryer roller to prevent the inflow and outflow of gases. Thus, to replace and/or adjust a worn seal strip, normal operating conditions of the dryer need only be interrupted temporally since it takes an operator mere minutes to replace a worn baffle with a new baffle and the one or more seal strips of the removed baffle may be replaced and/or adjusted at the leisure of the operator, outside of the dryer. Also, the manpower required to replace the worn baffle with the new baffle and the energy required to return the dryer to normal operating conditions once the new baffle has been installed are minimal. Further still, dryer components, such as dryer rollers, jet tubes, and conveyor chains need not be removed from the dryer to access the worn baffle and install a new baffle. 
     A baffle system  100  in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5 . System  100  may be installed for use with a variety of conveyor-type dryers, such as a wood veneer dryer  10  shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5 , having at least one roller for supporting and/or conveying a material to be dried through the dryer. Unless context dictates otherwise, “dryer” (as used herein) includes a variety of conveyor-type dryers and ovens, including, but not limited to, wood veneer dryers, gypsum dryers, textile dryers, industrial dryers, and glass ovens. 
     A conventional wood veneer dryer, such as dryer  10 , may include an input end seal chamber  20  connected to an input end  12  of an elongated drying chamber  30  (see  FIG. 2 ). A typical dryer may have several juxtaposed drying chambers  30 . Green or undried sheets of wood veneer are introduced into dryer  10  at input end  12  of seal chamber  20 . The wood veneer sheets pass longitudinally through dryer  10  from input end  12  to an output end  14 . The wood veneer sheets may pass through one or more conventional intermediary chambers  40  attached to output end  14  of drying chamber  30  and conventional cooling chambers  50  attached at output end  14  of drying chamber  30  and/or at output end  14  of intermediary chamber  40  before exiting dryer  10 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , dryer  10  includes at least one conveying pinch roll assembly  60  at input end  12  of input end seal chamber  20 . Each conveying pinch roll assembly  60  supports a wood veneer sheet as it enters into and travels through dryer  10 . Where dryer  10  includes more than one conveying pinch roll assembly  60 , as in the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , conveying pinch roll assemblies  60  are vertically-aligned. Dryer  10  may include one or more supporting pinch roll assemblies  70  horizontally-aligned with conveying pinch roll assembly  60 . Each supporting pinch roll assembly  70 , together with the corresponding conveying pinch roll assembly  60 , defines a level or deck  16  (shown schematically in dotted lines) along which sheets of wood veneer are supported and conveyed. Each dryer chamber includes a similar arrangement of conveying and/or supporting pinch roll assemblies for supporting and conveying sheets of wood veneer. In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , dryer  10  includes four vertically-aligned conveying pinch roll assemblies  60 , four supporting pinch roll assemblies  70  horizontally-aligned with each conveying pinch roll assembly  60 , and four levels  16 . 
     System  100  includes one or more baffles  80  removeably mounted to a dryer at one or more of an input end, an output end, an input end of a dryer chamber, and an output end of a dryer chamber depending on the demands of the dryer and/or the operator. Baffle system  100  (and each baffle  80 ) is sized and dimensioned to seal openings at the dryer input and/or output ends. In the example embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 , dryer  10  includes four levels  16  and system  100  includes five baffles  80  removeably mounted to dryer  10  at input end  12  of seal chamber  20  as described elsewhere herein to prevent gases from entering and/or escaping the dryer. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the number of baffles  80  of baffle system  100  may depend on the number of levels  16  of a given dryer. 
     Each baffle  80  includes a body  81  and one or more seal strips  82  removeably attached to body  81  for contacting a dryer roller to prevent gases from entering and/or escaping the dryer (see  FIG. 3 ). In the example embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , baffle  80  includes a seal strip  82  removeably attached to an upper end  83  of body  81  and a seal strip  82  removeably attached to a lower end  84  of body  81  opposed to upper end  83 . Each seal strip  82  contacts a roller of the dryer to seal air gaps that may exist, for example, between vertically-aligned rollers and/or pinch roll assemblies (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     Body  81  comprises an elongated shell that may define a tube  85  extending lengthwise through a middle of body  82  (see  FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 ). Tube  85  may be used to removeably mount baffle  80  to a dryer as described elsewhere herein. Body  81  and/or tube  85  are made of a ferrous or non-ferrous material, including, but not limited to, one or more of steel and stainless steel. Colder temperatures outside a dryer would be conducted inside the dryer by body  81  causing pitch to condense and build-up on the colder surfaces of body  81 . Accordingly, body  81  may be insulated. For example, the interior of body  81  is provided with an insulating material, including, but not limited to, one or more of a mineral wool and other insulating materials conventionally known. 
     Seal strip  82  is made of a flexible and/or durable material having a degree of heat resistance that is suitable for use in high temperature dryers, including, but not limited to, one or more of silicon, stainless steel, high temperature textiles (such as high temperature woven glass (e.g. woven glass blankets and woven glass cloth) and Nomex™ cloth), coated textiles (such as vermiculite-coated cloth, rubber-coated cloth, rubber-coated fibreglass cloth, neoprene-coated cloth, neoprene-coated fibreglass cloth), and impregnated high temperature textiles (such as graphite-impregnated high temperature textiles). Seal strip  82  may be removeably attached to body  81  of baffle  80  using one or more of bolts, clamps, or other means conventionally known. 
     To mount baffle  80  to a dryer, the dryer is provided with a tube  90  for each baffle  80  of system  100  at one or more of an input end, an output end, an input end of a dryer chamber, and an output end of a dryer chamber. In the example embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , tubes  90  are provided at input end  12  of seal chamber  20  of dryer  10 . Where system  100  includes more than one baffle  80 , the dryer is provided with a corresponding number of tubes  90 , each tube  90  vertically-aligned with the other tubes. Tube  90  is attached at a first end  91  to a first dryer wall, such as dryer wall  17 , and extends at least halfway from the first dryer wall to a second dryer wall, such as dryer wall  18 , in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of travel of a material to be dried through dryer  10 . In some embodiments, a second end  92  of tube  90  is attached to the second dryer wall. In the example embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , each tube  90  is attached at first end  91  to first dryer wall  17  and at second end  92  to second dryer wall  18 . Baffle  80  is removeably mounted to tube  90  by inserting tube  90  through tube  85  of baffle  80 . In some embodiments, baffle  80  rests on tube  90  (not shown) and is inserted into and/or removed from a dryer by sliding the baffle across tube  90 . Baffle  80  may include at least one guide (not shown) at lower end  84  to assist movement of baffle  80  across tube  90 . 
     Each tube  90  is positioned such that when baffle  80  is removeably mounted thereto or thereon, seal strip  82  contacts a roller of the dryer. In the example embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each tube  90  is positioned between an upper pinch roll assembly  60   a  and a lower pinch roll assembly  60   b  such that when baffle  80  is removeably mounted to tube  90  the upper seal strip  82  of baffle  80  is positioned in sealing engagement with a lower pinch roller  66  of upper pinch roll assembly  60   a  and the lower seal strip  82  of baffle  80  is positioned in sealing engagement with an upper pinch roller  64  of a lower pinch roll assembly  60   b . The air seal established between seal strips  82  and the respective roller permits upper pinch roller  64  to move relative to baffle  80  as sheets of a material to be dried enter nip  62  and pass through the pinch rollers of a given pinch roll assembly  60 . Lower pinch roller  66  is fixed and upper pinch roller  64  allowed to move upwardly as the material enters nip  62 . Reference numerals  60   a  and  60   b  are used herein to respectively refer to the upper and lower pinch roll assemblies of any pair of vertically-aligned and adjacent pinch roll assemblies. 
     Tube  90  is made of a ferrous or non-ferrous material, including, but not limited to, one or more of steel and stainless steel. Tube  90  is sized and shaped for a tight-tolerance fit inside tube  85  of body  81 . In some embodiments, a high-temperature, anti-seize compound, including, but not limited to, grease, may be used to keep tubes  85  and  90  from rusting and/or corroding together when tube  90  is fit inside tube  85 . 
     As a material to be dried is conveyed through a dryer, such as dryer  10 , seal strip  82  of baffle  80  wears and the air seal established between seal strip  82  and the respective dryer roller is compromised. In the case of dryer  10 , this allows gases containing V.O.C. to escape the dryer and/or ambient air to enter the dryer. To restore the air seal, baffle  80  may be mechanically removed from dryer  10  and seal strip  82  may be adjusted or replaced. 
     An input end dryer panel (substantially equivalent to input end dryer panel  11  shown in  FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 ) is absent from  FIGS. 1, 4, and 5  to demonstrate how baffle  80  may be removed from or inserted into dryer  10 . In operation, the input end dryer panel may be secured to input end  12  of dryer  10  in a substantially equivalent manner as input end dryer panel  11  to seal dryer  10  and prevent the inflow and/or outflow of gases. 
     To adjust or replace seal strip  82 , baffle  80  may be removed from a dryer, such as dryer  10 , by sliding baffle  80  along tube  90  through a delivery or return plenum or manifold  19   a , past a door post  19   b , to outside the dryer. A support  110  (shown schematically in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) may be provided outside the dryer to support baffle  80  as it is removed from (or inserted into) the dryer. Once baffle  80  has been removed from the dryer, a new baffle  80  may be inserted into the dryer by sliding tube  90  through tube  85  of new baffle  80  and sliding new baffle  80  along tube  90  past door post  19   b  and through manifold  19   a . A locking mechanism (not shown) may be provided to securely lock baffle  80  in position inside the dryer until removal is desired. Seal strip  82  of the removed baffle  80  may be adjusted or replaced from baffle  80  outside the dryer at the leisure of the operator. In this way, the normal operation of the dryer need not be interrupted (i.e. dryer operations need not be stopped) to replace or adjust seal strip  82 . Any interruption to normal operation is only temporal since it takes an operator only minutes to replace a worn baffle with a new baffle. Thus, the inflow and/or outflow of gases of, for example, dryer  10  may be controlled to optimize the performance of the dryer, prevent the build-up of pitch inside the dryer, and/or prevent the outflow of gases containing V.O.C. from the dryer before treatment in an exhaust system. A panel, door, or other suitable means (not shown) may be provided to seal manifold  19   a  and prevent the inflow and/or outflow of gases from the dryer when baffle  80  has been removed from or inserted into the dryer. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that seal strip  82  may be adjusted or replaced in substantially an identical fashion where system  100  is installed in a conventional conveyor-type dryer. 
     To facilitate movement of baffle  80  along tube  90 , at least one guide  120 , such as a roller or any other suitable means conventionally known, may be provided. In some embodiments, the at least one guide  120  is attached to the dryer frame proximate to upper end  83  and/or lower end  84  of baffle  80  at a first end  86  and/or a second end  87  of baffle  80  when baffle  80  is installed inside the dryer. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the at least one guide  120  may be provided in a number of suitable arrangements to support and guide baffle  80  as it is installed on and/or removed from tube  90 . 
     Interpretation of Terms 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims:
         “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”;   “connected”, “coupled”, or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof;   “herein”, “above”, “below”, and words of similar import, when used to describe this specification, shall refer to this specification as a whole, and not to any particular portions of this specification;   “or”, in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list;   the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” also include the meaning of any appropriate plural forms.       

     Words that indicate directions such as “vertical”, “transverse”, “horizontal”, “upward”, “downward”, “forward”, “backward”, “inward”, “outward”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “below”, “above”, “under”, and the like, used in this description and any accompanying claims (where present), depend on the specific orientation of the apparatus described and illustrated. The subject matter described herein may assume various alternative orientations. Accordingly, these directional terms are not strictly defined and should not be interpreted narrowly. 
     Where a component (e.g. a substrate, assembly, device, manifold, etc.) is referred to above, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a “means”) should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments described herein. 
     Specific examples of systems, methods, and apparatus have been described herein for purposes of illustration. These are only examples. The technology provided herein can be applied to systems other than the example systems described above. Many alterations, modifications, additions, omissions, and permutations are possible within the practice of this invention. This invention includes variations on described embodiments that would be apparent to the skilled addressee, including variations obtained by: replacing features, elements and/or acts with equivalent features, elements and/or acts; mixing and matching of features, elements and/or acts from different embodiments; combining features, elements and/or acts from embodiments as described herein with features, elements and/or acts of other technology; and/or omitting combining features, elements and/or acts from described embodiments. 
     It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions, omissions, and sub-combinations as may reasonably be inferred. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.