Abstract:
A process and apparatus for substantially enhancing surface-bonding properties of a substrate simultaneously. The process includes depositing combustion ions upon the substrate substantially immediately upon generation of the combustion ions; and depositing corona ions upon the substrate substantially immediately upon generation of the corona ions. The present invention is advantageously cylindrical and other three-dimensional substrates.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This non-provisional application is a continuation-in-part of the provisional patent application serial No. 60/423,154 with inventors and entitled “CORONA-FLAMER ION TREATMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS” filed Nov. 1, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention is related to the field of ion treatment of substrates for enhancing surface bonding properties.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Ions are widely used for the treatment of organic and inorganic surfaces to promote adhesion between various materials. For example, polymer substrates that have chemically inert surfaces with low surface energies do not allow good bonding with coatings and adhesives. Thus, these surfaces need to be treated in some way to make them receptive to bonding with other substrates, coatings, adhesives and printing inks.  
           [0004]    Corona treatment improves the surface energy of materials and is widely used in particular for treating substrates such as plastic films, foils, papers, etc. Corona treatment improves adhesion with other materials by increasing the surface energy of the substrate. A corona discharge is established between two electrodes by applying a high voltage to one of the electrodes while the other is connected to ground at typical frequencies between 10-50 kHz. Corona treatment has the advantage of working well with new manufactured substrates. However, recycled substrates may contain significant impurities or irregularities that may interfere with the ion treatment of the substrate.  
           [0005]    Flame treatment is also extensively used in the industry for improving the surface energy of materials, most advantageously recycled plastics. In flame treatment, a surface of the substrate in exposed to a flame generated by a gas such as propane, natural gas or other combustible substance. The flame treatment not only burns off impurities in the substrate but also treats the surface with ions that promote adhesion with other materials by increasing the surface energy of the substrate.  
           [0006]    Plasma treatment infuses the treatment zone with an inert gas that is partially ionized by the energized electrodes. While plasma treatment may provide enhanced adhesion in certain applications, a special inert gas or gas mixture and a complex control mechanism are required to realize plasma treatment. This increases the cost, complexity and maintenance of the manufacturing equipment used to process the substrates. Thus, it is desirable avoid the plasma treatment process where possible.  
           [0007]    Empirical evaluations show that substrates, which perform well to flame treatments, tend to perform less optimally with corona treatments and substrates that perform well with corona treatments tend not to perform less optimally with flame treatment. Nevertheless a manufacture will process various substrates depending upon customer requirements. Thus, what is needed is manufacturing equipment that readily adaptable to the desired substrates.  
           [0008]    Most ion treatment technology is adapted to treatment using a web process, where the substrate is essentially a long continuous two-dimensional sheet and ion treatment occurs using stationary rollers with a continuously moving web substrate. This has the advantage in that various processes upon the web may be located so as to limit interference between the processes. However, three dimensional non-web substrates also benefit from ion treatment to enhance surface adhesion. Such three dimensional substrates include cylindrical substrates such as cups formed from new or recycled materials. Such substrates are typically mounted upon a mandrel. A machine for processing the substrate typically has a mandrel ring having a multiplicity of evenly spaced mandrels. The ring rotates the mandrels from station to station, pausing to perform desired processes, including ion treatment. Thus, the location of the various processes to the substrate is determined by the geometry of the mandrel ring and the location of the mandrels. The rotating mandrel ring further introduces new problems in the corona process because each mandrel acts as an electrode in the corona generation process. Thus, one corona electrode is fixed and the other electrode moves from position to position in a substantially compact space. Thus, what is needed are enhancements to the ion implantation process adapted to processing cylindrical and other three-dimensional substrates.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional substrate-processing machine that has a ring with a multiplicity of mandrels.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 shows a detail of the contact point  202  between the print drum  204  and the mandrel with substrate attached at the PRINT station  106 .  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 shows a photograph of one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is an illustration of the station that provides both flame and corona ion treatment to a three dimensional substrate mounted upon a mandrel ring wherein an air knife provides a curtain of air to insulate the coronal and flame heads.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5A shows a detail of the corona head  508  and electrode  510  with an air jet  512  for restraining the corona ions.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5B shows an alternative corona head  550  having orifices  552 ,  554  in substantial proximity with both the leading and trailing edge of the corona electrode  556 .  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show views of a combination corona and flame head which produces both flame and corona ions combined, or just flame or just corona ions as desired by the application treatment of substrates.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the combination corona-flamer head.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 shows a top view of the combination corona-flamer head  900  positioned relative to a mandrel and attached substrate or cup  902 .  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 shows a view looking head on at the corona electrode and flame slot and two orifices of FIG. 9, as would be seen from the perspective of the substrate being treated.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show details of the flame head  1100  without a corona electrode.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 13 shows a detail of the perforations  1300  used for the gas or other combustible substance for generating a flame.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 14 shows a view of a dual head ion treatment at the PRETREAT station  1402  of the mandrel ring  1404 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 15 shows a single ion treatment head at a single PRETREAT station  1502 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 16 shows dual position pretreatment.  
         [0025]    FIGS.  17 - 19  shows an alternate embodiment of a chiller control unit in a remote location. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]    It should be understood that these embodiments are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in the plural and vice versa with no loss of generality.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional substrate-processing machine that has a ring with a multiplicity of mandrels. A three dimensional substrate, such as a plastic cup is placed on a mandrel ring at a LOAD station  102 . The ring then rotates and the mandrel is moved to a PRETREAT station  104 . At the PRETREAT station; the substrate is treated with ions. During the ion treatment process the mandrel and the attached substrate rotate on the axis of the mandrel. The ring then rotates again moving the mandrel and attached cup to a PRINT station  106 . At the PRINT station printing is applied to the substrate preferably using offset printing techniques. During the printing process the mandrel and the attached substrate rotate. The ring then rotates again through an UNUSED station  108 ,and the mandrel and attached cup move to a CURE station  110 , where the substrate is preferably exposed to ultraviolet light. During the curing process the mandrel and the attached substrate rotate. The ring then rotates again and the substrate is moved to a REJECT station  112 , where if an imperfection in the cup, such as a pinhole, is detected in a prior process then the substrate is removed from the mandrel and processed as a rejected substrate. The ring then rotates again and the mandrel with a good substrate is rotated to the GOOD station  114 , and the cup substrate is removed from the mandrel and subsequently processed as a good substrate.  
         [0028]    Preferably, the mandrel ring  100  has eight mandrels and the processing machine thus has eight potential stations for processing three-dimensional substrates. Six stations have been described: LOAD  102 , PRETREAT  104 , PRINT  106 , UNUSED  108 ,CURE  110 , REJECT  112 , GOOD  114  and unused. In this embodiment two of the stations are unused and may be placed at desirable locations.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 shows a detail of the contact point  202  between the print drum  204  and the mandrel with substrate attached at the PRINT station  106 . Note the close proximity between the large print drum  204  and the PRETREAT station  104 .  
         [0030]    In one embodiment of the invention a single PRETREAT station provides both flame and corona ion treatment. In another embodiment, there are two pretreated stations: PRETREAT 1 and PRETREAT 2. In this embodiment flame ion treatment occurs at one of the pretreatment stations and corona ion treatment occurs at the other of the pretreatment stations. Either flame or corona treating could occur first with the other treatment occurring second.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 shows a photograph of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an illustration of components of FIG. 3. The flame and the corona treating occur at a single PRETREAT station  304 . It should be appreciated that the station can be set up for either flame treatment alone, corona treatment alone or simultaneous corona and flame treatment. At the PRETREAT station a cup is shown attached to a mandrel. On one side of the cup is a flame head  320  and on the other side of the cup is a corona head  322 . The flame head is fed with a combustible gas that produces a flame for treating the substrate with flame ions. A separate flame igniter  328  ignites the flame.  
         [0032]    On the opposite side of the mandrel is the corona head  322 , for treating the substrate with corona ions. The corona head establishes a high voltage AC field, which establishes a corona field between the corona electrode and the mandrel, which is grounded. The frequency of the AC field is preferably 9.6 kHz using a 1.5 kW of power supply operating at 40% capacity. This setting as empirically shown to provide a satisfactory volumetric energy density for facilitating enhanced surface adhesion at reduced power settings. While the industry typically accepts a frequency range of 10 kHz or substantially higher, it has been discovered that in the three dimensional substrate applications that frequencies lower than 10 kHz are advantageous. Competing power supplies typically operate well above 10 kHz at 2 kW and 90% capacity. Thus, a preferred implementation requires a smaller power supply relative to the competition and operates at a reduced capacity because the frequency is advantageously adjusted below 10 kHz.  
         [0033]    The corona field generates heat, and an orifice incorporated within the coronal head provides cooling. The orifice is coupled to a compressed air supply, which is cooled by a Vortex  326  compressed air chiller prior to being coupled to the orifice. Several orifice topographies are anticipated as will be set forth in more detail below. An air jet is released from the orifice. The air jet has several advantageous functions. First, the air jet feeds the corona field enhancing the ion treatment process. Second the air jet cools the substrate. Overheated substrates may unacceptably deform causing rejection of the substrate; cooling helps control the unacceptable deformation of the substrate. Third, the air jet focuses at least a portion of the corona field. It should be noted in the photograph of FIG. 3 that the corona head  322  is in close proximity with the print drum  204 . The corona head produces a high voltage field, which may short or arc to the print drum due to the close proximity between the print drum and the corona head. This may not only damage the drum, but also reduce the effectiveness of the corona ion treatment process. The cup substrate turns on the axis of the attached mandrel pulling the corona field around the facilitating arching to the print drum. Preferably substantially one turn or 390 degrees of rotation of the substrate are performed during corona ion treatment. In other embodiments a multitude of turns may be used. The air jet integral to the corona head  322  helps focus the corona ions within a predefined area, thus reducing the likelihood of arching to the print drum  204  or other surrounding components.  
         [0034]    It should be further noted that the flame head  320  is located across from the corona head  322 . In the three dimensional mandrel ring application, the heads are located in this fashion to facilitate rotation of mandrels and attached substrates. Note that prior art two dimensional web treatment processes do not have the problem of mandrels which move in and out of the range of the ion treatment heads. In three-dimensional applications, stationary heads may not be placed in locations that interfere with the movement of the mandrels, and moving the heads out of the way of the moving mandrels and restoring the heads to the process position tends to result in alignment and spacing problems. Thus, fixed heads are desirable. Furthermore, some substrates may be cups shorter than the length of the flame head. In which case flames produced by the flame head could reach directly across to the electrode of the corona head. Thus, an ion path is produced between the flame and corona heads. Since the flame head is preferably electrically grounded, an undesirable arc can form between the corona and flame heads. FIG. 4 shows an air knife  324  located above the substrate at the PRETREAT station which provides an air curtain that insulates the corona head from the flame head, thereby resolving the aforementioned arcing problem. FIG. 4 is an illustration of the station that provides both flame and corona ion treatment to a three dimensional substrate mounted upon a mandrel ring wherein an air knife provides a curtain of air to insulate the coronal and flame heads. Note further that the air curtain may be further used to cool the substrate. Note further that the curtain of air has the advantage of providing insulation between the flame and corona heads without impeding rotation of the mandrels on their axis and movement of the mandrels by the rotation of the mandrel ring.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5A shows a detail of the corona head  508  and electrode  510  with an air jet  512  for restraining the corona ions. The corona head of FIG. 5 may be used in the application of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, or other applications. As the substrate and mandrel  514  rotate on the mandrel axis, the corona ions  502  produced by the electrode  510  of the corona field tend to be drawn beyond the trailing edge  516  of the corona electrode and further around the substrate. The print drum (or other component)  520  is in close proximity and the ions could produce a conductive path between the corona electrode and the print drum, resulting in undesirable arcing. However, an orifice  522  located is in substantial proximity with the trailing edge of the corona electrode and produces an air jet  512  substantially close to the trailing edge of the corona electrode. This air jet not only enhances the ion field and cools the substrate, but also retards the ion field, which would otherwise be result substantially beyond the trailing edge of the electrode. Retarding the corona ion field reduces the likelihood of an undesirable arc forming between the corona electrode and adjacent components, such as the print drum. Furthermore, the compressed air is optionally cooled. The cooling is preferably done by a piece of equipment known by those familiar with the art as a chiller or vortex. The vortex device is connected to the corona head providing for chilling of the air at a location close to the corona electrode. This further facilitates the advantages provided by the air jet.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 5B shows an alternative corona head  550  having orifices  552 ,  554  in substantial proximity with both the leading and trailing edge of the corona electrode  556 . An orifice in substantial proximity means an area beyond the respective leading or trailing edge of the corona electrode, as well as an area between the center of the corona electrode and the corresponding leading or trailing edge, that facilitates substantial focusing of the corona ions  560  within an area using jets escaping from the orifices. Note that while air is the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited to air; other gases producing a similar result are also anticipated.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show views of a combination corona and flame head which produces both flame and corona ions combined, or just flame or just corona ions as desired by the application treatment of substrates. The configuration may be controlled by simply adjusting the electrical and gas inputs to the combined head without physically replacing components. The combination head has a corona electrode  602  that has perforations for allowing gas to enter the same area as the corona ions. In this embodiment gas travels down the center of the support  604  for fixing the combined head to the processing machinery, and the perforations  606  are located in a channel  608  in the middle of the corona electrode  602 . In alternate embodiments, the combustible gas could be delivered by or means such as tubing external to the combined head. Furthermore, the perforations could be in any location or other means may be used for allowing for the combination of combustible gas with the corona ions. The corona electrode also has groves  609  or is etched to enhance generation of corona ions. In substantial proximity with either edge of the corona electrode are orifices  610  of providing air jets  612  for focusing the ion field and for cooling the substrate and enhancing generation of the ions. The orifices are optional, and various embodiments may have no orifice of creating an air jet, or an orifice on the leading or trailing edge, or orifices on both the leading and trailing edges.  
         [0038]    The combination head of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 has the further advantage that a separate flame igniter is not required. The corona field  620  generated by the corona electrode is sufficient to ignite the combustible gas. This has the advantage of eliminating the igniter component for the flame while maintaining the ignition function. Furthermore, the prior art igniter component includes significant metallic components, which interfere with generation of the corona ions by being susceptible to arcing from the corona electrode. Not shown is a flame detector, which shuts OFF the gas supply in the absence of a flame and in the absence of a corona. In alternate embodiments, the flame may be reduced or extinguished (by switching the gas supply) during rotation of the mandrel ring and the flame re-established (by again switching the gas supply) when another mandrel is located at the PRETREAT station and the corona established. The established corona will ignite the gas without the need of a flame igniter. Switching the flame during mandrel rotation has the advantage of reducing waste heat built up with the machinery and reduces gas consumption.  
         [0039]    The invention describes corona heads, flame heads and combination heads. It should be appreciated that these heads may be placed in various stations and station locations without departing from the scope of the invention. In one embodiment there is a single combination head at the PRETREAT station. In another embodiment there may be a second head at the PRETREAT station, such as the two head configuration demonstrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The second head may be either a combination head, a corona head or a flame head. If the second head is a corona head then the trailing air jet may be desirable on the second head. The air curtain may be also used. If there are PRETREAT 1 and PRETREAT 2 stations, then the aforementioned combinations may be utilized at either or both stations.  
         [0040]    It should be further noted that the corona electrodes shown in the Figures preferably have a curved surface corresponding to the curve of the mandrel. This has advantages over prior art electrodes, which are substantially flat because the curved electrode provides a constant gap area between the mandrel and the electrode. This provides for more uniform treatment of the substrate with corona ions. Furthermore, the uniform gap may facilitate reduction in the amount of electrical power consumed to treat the substrate with corona ions. The invention has the further advantage in that the dimensions of the curved electrode surface still facilitates rotation of the mandrel through the PRETREAT station while allowing the corona generating head to remain stationary.  
         [0041]    It should be further appreciated that holes in the substrate may be detected with the corona field in that arcing between the corona head and mandrel will result. This results in a power surge, which may be detected and alerted by circuitry associated with the corona power supply. The alert may be used to reject substrates at the REJECT station.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the combination corona-flamer head. As in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the combination head has a corona electrode  802  that has perforations  804  for allowing gas to enter the same area as the corona ions. In this embodiment gas travels down the center of the support  810  for fixing the combined head to the processing machinery, and the perforations are located in a channel  812  or flame slot in the middle of the corona electrode. Ridges in the corona electrode are optional and are not shown in FIG. 8. Also, optional air jet orifices are not present in the combination head of FIG. 8.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 9 shows a top view of the combination corona-flamer head  900  positioned relative to a mandrel and attached substrate or cup  902 . In substantial proximity with the leading and trailing edges of the corona electrode  903  are orifices  904 ,  906  for producing air jets  908 ,  910  for constraining or focusing the corona ions  912  within a desired space. This embodiment has the advantage in that the orifices for producing the air jets have the advantage of not being integral to the combination head. This allows use of one or both of the air jets at the time the production machinery is configured (or reconfigured) and also allows for aiming and positioning of the air jet to accommodate various sizes of substrates or various applications of the ion treatment process. For example, both air jets are shown intersecting the substrate at a substantially tangential angle. In other applications the assembly supporting the orifices can be rotated to change the desired point of contact of the air jet with the substrate. The air jets may be used for cooling the substrate, enhancing the ion field, and/or constraining the ion field. Each orifice support assembly preferably has a chiller, such as a vortex, attached to it to further cool the air of the air jet prior to passing through the orifice and for cooling the air in close proximity with the orifice. The close proximity of the cooler and the orifice for the air jet is also advantageous in the aforementioned corona heads with integral air jet of FIG. 5, FIG. 5B, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Furthermore, the person setting up the production machinery may move orifices closer or farther from the substrate as desired. In this embodiment gas or other combustible substance flows down the center of the tube  920 , which includes a diffuser, such as a wire mesh for diffusing the gas. The diffuser provides for more even flame distribution  922  within the flame slot  924 . In alternate embodiments, the integral orifice of FIG. 5, FIG. 5B, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 may be substituted for one or both of the separate orifice and air jet of FIG. 9.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 10 shows a view looking head on at the corona electrode and flame slot and two orifices of FIG. 9, as would be seen from the perspective of the substrate being treated. The groves of the corona electrode and perforations of the flame slot are shown in detail.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show details of the flame head  1100  without a corona electrode. The center of the burner support tube  1102  has gas or other combustible substance which is diffused through a diffuser or wire mesh  1104  which provides for a more evenly distributed flame by the perforations in the burner head. In an alternate embodiment the burner head may be removable and the support assembly fitted with a combined corona flamer head. Thus, if the support assembly is electrified, the flame head may be converted into a combined corona-flame head. Furthermore, separate orifices and air jets may be mounted as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 allowing for the migration from a flame head to a combined corona-flamer head to a combined corona-flamer head with the aforementioned air jet advantages. This allows a production customer currently using flame ion treatment to install the flame head of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 and then migrate to the improved corona-flame treatment with the installation of the corona-flame electrode. Then the customer may migrate to air jets provide by the separate orifice assemblies shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 13A shows a detail of the perforations used for the gas or other combustible substance for generating a flame. The top of the drawing sheet FIG. 13A is a cross section view  1302  taken along line X-X′ of top view  1304 . Shown in the middle of this drawing sheet is a top view  1304  of the manifold/supply tube  1306  feeding the electrode  1314  with orifices  1312 . To increase the surface area of the electrode  1314  a series of grooves  1310  are formed thereon. Lastly a side view  1316  is shown at the bottom of the sheet detailing the electrode  1314  being feed by manifold/supply tube  1306 . The electrode in this embodiment is formed on an insulator  1308 . The insulator may be fabricated from any electrical insulator material such as silicon.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 13B is an alternate embodiment of FIG. 13A with a leading edge  1420  on the electrode  1314 . As discussed for FIG. 13A shown on the top of the drawing sheet is a cross section view  1402  taken along line Y-Y′ of top view  1404 . Shown in the middle of this drawing sheet is a top view  1404  of the manifold/supply tube  1306  feeding the electrode  1314  with orifices  1312 . To increase the surface area of the electrode  1314  a series of grooves  1310  are formed thereon. Lastly a side view  1416  is shown at the bottom of the drawing sheet detailing the electrode  1314  being feed by manifold/supply tube  1306 . The electrode in this embodiment is formed on an insulator (not shown). A leading edge  1420 . The use of the leading edge  1312  increases the surface area for treatment. The leading edge acts as a “primer” to the spark of the corona treatment during operation  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 14 shows a view of a dual head ion treatment at the PRETREAT station  1402  of the mandrel ring  1404 . One head is a flame head  1406  and the other is a corona head  1408 . The corona head has a chiller  1410  attached to the end opposite to the corona electrode end. The close proximity between the chiller and the orifice located close to the corona facilitates enhanced cooling of the air jet from the orifice. In the other embodiments the treating head can be a corona or corona-flamer head while the other head could be a flamer, corona-flame or corona head. As in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, an air knife may be used to insulate the ion treatment heads. Note the close proximity between the print drum  1412  and the ion treatment head  1408 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 15 shows a single ion treatment head at a single PRETREAT station  1502 . The treatment head could be a corona or a corona-flamer head  1504 . The close proximity between the chiller  1510  and the orifice located close to the corona facilitates enhanced cooling of the air jet from the orifice. Note the close proximity between the print drum  1512  and the ion treatment head.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 16 shows dual position pretreatment. The PRETREAT 1 station  1602  may have a corona, flamer or corona-flamer ion treatment head  1604 . The close proximity between the chiller and the orifice located close to the corona facilitates enhanced cooling of the air jet from the orifice. The PRETREAT 2 station  1606  has a flame head  1608  but in alternate embodiments may have a corona, flamer or corona-flamer ion treatment head. Preferably, the substrate is treated by both corona ions and flame ions prior to arriving at the PRINT station  1610 .  
         [0051]    FIGS.  17 - 19  shows an alternate embodiment of a chiller control unit in a remote location.  
         [0052]    While the process herein is described with respect to three-dimensional cylindrical substrates, such as plastic cups, the invention herein may be applied to a number of other substrate types including webs, credit cards, casings and other two and three-dimensional substrates. It should be appreciated that other modifications and alterations may be made to the description provided herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiment, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.