Biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump

Abstract

This application is directed to a Biometric Locking Jar with Integrated Vacuum Pump. More particularly, this application provides a biometric locking lid capable of interfacing with a jar or other container, wherein the biometric locking lid includes a built-in electrically powered vacuum pump and a labyrinth seal lid gasket which acts to lock the jar from unauthorized access by pulling a vacuum within the jar and securing the lid to the jar preventing unauthorized access to the contents of the jar. A user enrolls a fingerprint or thumb print. The vacuum pump is activated by scanning and recognizing a user's enrolled fingerprint. The locking jar may be used to keep contents secure and fresh, and also out of the reach of children or other unauthorized individuals as it employs the user's fingerprint or thumb print to release the vacuum and open the jar, allowing access to the contents inside.

Claims

1. A biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump comprising: (a) a lid having a lid upper portion and a lid lower portion wherein said lid upper portion houses an ON/OFF button, the vacuum pump, a CPU/microprocessor and a fingerprint enrollment/reader; (b) the jar having a lid interfacing rim; and (c) said lid lower portion includes a labyrinth seal lid interfacing gasket; wherein said ON/OFF button activates said vacuum pump which pulls a vacuum within said jar and said vacuum within said jar solely acts to securely lock said lid to said jar without the need for a secondary mechanical locking mechanism; and further wherein the generated vacuum is released using recognition of an enrolled user's fingerprint to allow unlocking of the jar solely by the release of said vacuum and thereby allowing access to the jar contents.

2. The biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 1, wherein said lid lower portion further includes the vacuum pump having a vacuum intake/check valve/filter element assembly for drawing air out of the jar.

3. The biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 2, wherein said vacuum pump having the vacuum intake/check valve/filter element assembly is CPU/microprocessor controlled and electrically powered.

4. The biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 3, wherein said electrically powered vacuum pump is battery powered.

5. The biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 1, wherein said fingerprint scanner enrollment/reader includes a reset/enrollment button which resets said fingerprint scanner enrollment/reader and allows a user to enroll an authorized fingerprint or thumb print.

6. The biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 5, wherein said fingerprint scanner enrollment/reader is CPU/microprocessor controlled and electrically powered.

7. The biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 1, wherein said lid lower portion labyrinth seal lid gasket includes a double bump side portion to securely hold a vacuum pulled within said jar.

8. The biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 1, wherein said jar having the lid interfacing rim includes an upper portion and a locking lid interface rim middle portion both of which interface with said labyrinth seal interfacing gasket.

9. The biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 1, wherein said lid upper portion includes an air vent and a universal serial bus charging port.

10. The biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 1, wherein said lid upper portion includes an indicator light emitting diode.

11. A method for making a biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a lid having a lid upper portion and a lid lower portion wherein said lid upper portion houses an ON/OFF button, the vacuum pump, a CPU/microprocessor and a fingerprint enrollment/reader; (b) providing the jar having a lid interfacing rim; and (c) providing said lid lower portion includes a labyrinth seal lid interfacing gasket; wherein said ON/OFF button activates said vacuum pump which pulls a vacuum within said jar and said vacuum within said jar solely acts to securely lock said lid to said jar without the need for a secondary mechanical locking mechanism; and further wherein the generated vacuum is released using recognition of an enrolled user's fingerprint to allow unlocking of the jar solely by the release of said vacuum and thereby allowing access to the jar contents.

12. The method for making a biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 11, wherein said lid lower portion further includes the vacuum pump having a vacuum intake/check valve/filter element assembly for drawing air out of the jar.

13. The method for making a biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 12, wherein said vacuum pump having the vacuum intake/check valve/filter element assembly is CPU/microprocessor controlled and electrically powered.

14. The method for making a biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 13, wherein said electrically powered vacuum pump is battery powered.

15. The method for making a biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 11, wherein said fingerprint scanner enrollment/reader includes a reset/enrollment button which resets said fingerprint scanner enrollment/reader and allows a user to enroll an authorized fingerprint or thumb print.

16. The method for making a biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 15, wherein said fingerprint scanner enrollment/reader is CPU/microprocessor controlled and electrically powered.

17. The method for making a biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 11, wherein said lid lower portion labyrinth seal lid gasket includes a double bump side portion to securely hold a vacuum pulled within said jar.

18. The method for making a biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 11, wherein said jar having the lid interfacing rim includes an upper portion and a locking lid interface rim middle portion both of which interface with said labyrinth seal interfacing gasket.

19. The method for making a biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 11, wherein said lid upper portion includes an air vent and a universal serial bus charging port.

20. The method for making a biometric locking jar with integrated vacuum pump according to claim 11, wherein said lid upper portion includes an indicator light emitting diode.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Containers and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

(2) FIG. 1 depicts a Compact Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container in the closed position with the biometric finger or thumb print activation opening mechanism on the top surface.

(3) FIG. 2 depicts a Compact Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container in the open position with the tubular storage means and the Biometric Locking mechanism exposed.

(4) FIG. 3 depicts a Compact Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container in the open position with a pill organization and storage area in the bottom portion.

(5) FIG. 4 depicts the alternate embodiment of the Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container with organizational inserts dividing the central area into different organization cavities and the lid exploded away.

(6) FIG. 5 depicts the alternate embodiment of the Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container with organizational inserts dividing the central area into different organization cavities with a rotatable disk, a shoulder screw and an opening to separately isolate each of the holding cavities.

(7) FIG. 6 depicts the lid exposing the underside of the Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container.

(8) FIG. 7 depicts an open Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container exposing sealed tubular cylinders.

(9) FIG. 8 depicts an open Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container with open tubular cylinders.

(10) FIG. 9 depicts the underside of the biometric locking mechanism.

(11) FIG. 10 depicts the ratchet style of the locking mechanism.

(12) FIG. 11 depicts the gear style of the locking mechanism.

(13) FIG. 12 depicts a large Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container having a screw on lid with the handle and finger or thumb activation means.

(14) FIG. 13 depicts a large Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container having a screw on lid with the handle and finger or thumb activation means, illustrating a vacuum pump connection fitting mounted on the top of the lid.

(15) FIG. 14 depicts a large Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container having a screw on lid with the handle and finger or thumb activation means, illustrating an electrically operated vacuum pump mounted within the lid.

(16) FIG. 15 depicts a large Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container having a screw on lid with the handle and finger or thumb activation means, illustrating a manually operated vacuum pump mounted within the lid.

(17) FIG. 16 depicts a full product kit for the Biometric Locking Jar with Integrated Vacuum Pump including the lid, the jar, a fingerprint enrollment key, a USB charger and a charging cord.

(18) FIG. 17 depicts a bottom view of the biometric locking lid.

(19) FIG. 18 depicts a cross sectional view of the vacuum valve/check valve/filter element assembly.

(20) FIG. 19 depicts a bottom view of the filter element illustrating the flower lobe configuration of the filter.

(21) FIG. 20 depicts a cross sectional view of the labyrinth seal jar interfacing gasket running around the perimeter of the outer portion of the lid.

(22) FIG. 21 depicts a side view of the lacking lid, illustrating the position of the USB charging port and the air vent orifice.

(23) FIG. 22 depicts a side view of the jar illustrating the lid interface rim located at the upper portion of the jar.

(24) FIG. 23 depicts an exploded view of the lid showing the inner mechanism including the battery and electrically powered vacuum pump components.

(25) FIG. 24A depicts a prescription bottle having a biometric locking lid thereon, and FIG. 24B illustrates a top view of the biometric locking lid on the prescription bottle shown in FIG. 24A.

(26) FIG. 25A depicts a 5, 10 or 15 gallon pail having a biometric locking lid thereon, and FIG. 25B illustrates a top view of the biometric locking lid on the 5, 10 or 15 gallon pail shown in FIG. 25A.

(27) FIG. 26A depicts a 50 gallon drum having a biometric locking lid, thereon, and FIG. 26B illustrates a top view of the biometric locking lid on the 50 gallon drum shown in FIG. 26A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(28) As required, the detailed embodiments of the present Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Containers 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F and the Biometric Locking Jar with Integrated Vacuum Pump 10G are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the design that may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as basic for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present design in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

(29) FIG. 1 depicts a Compact Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container 10A in the closed position with the biometric finger or thumb print activation opening mechanism 12 on the container top surface 14. Adjacent to the activation mechanism 12 is a red LED light 16 indicating low battery power and a green LED light 18 displaying opening activation. A rubber seal 20 runs around the perimeter of both the container top 22 and the container bottom 24 to create the airtight seal. This compact configuration resembles a wallet and can be easily carried in a user's pocket keeping the contents safe from unauthorized access. These containers can vary in size from the convenient pocket size to larger display sizes and still remain within the scope of this application.

(30) FIG. 2 depicts a Compact Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container 10A with the container top 22 in the open position exposing the tubular storage means 26 and the Biometric Locking mechanism 28. The locking bar 30 on the Biometric Locking mechanism 28 will automatically engage within the locking tabs 32 on the front edge of the container bottom 24 when the device is closed. A sealed tubular container 34 containing Cannabis 36 is exploded away.

(31) FIG. 3 depicts a Compact Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container 10A in the open position with the Biometric Locking mechanism 28 in the container top 22 and the pill storage area 38 with compartment lids 40 on each compartment 42 in the container bottom 24.

(32) FIG. 4 depicts the alternate embodiment of the Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container 10B consisting of a smoked glass or possibly high-grade smoke polymer container 48. The Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container 10B will have a ratchet or gear style of locking surface 50 on the upper edge surface 52 which will engage with a mating surface on the locking arms 54 of the biometric locking mechanism 56 located on the underside of the lid. Threads 58 and an O-ring 60 will be below the ratchet or gear style of locking surface 50. An insert 62 can be used to divide the central area into different cavities 64. The Jar lid 66 will have the finger or thumb unlocking means 12 with the red LED light 16 indicating low battery power and a green LED light 18 displaying sensor activation.

(33) FIG. 5 depicts the alternate embodiment of the Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container 10B with inserts 62 dividing the central area into different cavities 64 with rotatable disk 68 on a shoulder screw 70 with an opening 72 to separately isolate each of the holding cavities 64.

(34) FIG. 6 depicts the underside of the Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container Jar 10B lid 66, illustrating the location of one of the Biometric Locking arms of 54.

(35) FIG. 7 depicts an open Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container 10B exposing sealed tubular cylinders 34 with a portion of Cannabis 36 exploded away.

(36) FIG. 8 depicts an open Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container 10B with open tubular cylinders 74.

(37) FIG. 9 depicts the underside of the Biometric Locking mechanism 28 illustrating the finger and thumb activation sensor 12, the battery 78 and the locking arms 54. At the end of each of the locking arms 54 are the locking heads 82 that will engage in the unique style of locking upper edge surface 52 of the smoked glass or high-grade smoke polymer container 48.

(38) FIG. 10 depicts the ratchet style of locking mechanism with a ratchet configuration 84 on the locking head 82 of the Biometric Locking mechanism 28 and a mating style of the ratchet configuration 84 on the Jar upper edge surface 52.

(39) FIG. 11 depicts the gear style of locking mechanism with a common gear configuration 84 on the locking heads of the Biometric Locking mechanism 28 and a mating style of the common gear configuration 86 on the Jar upper edge surface 52.

(40) FIG. 12 depicts a large Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container 10C consisting of a smoked glass or possibly high-grade smoke polymer 88 having the screw on lid 90 with the handle 92 and finger or thumb activation means 12 filled with Cannabis 64. The large Jar lid 66 will have the activation finger or thumb locking means 12 with the red LED light 16 indicating low battery power and a green LED light 18 displaying sensor activation. It is anticipated that many sizes of jars may be employed, including small, medium size and large to very large containers, all equipped with a biometric locking mechanism within the lid assembly.

(41) FIG. 13 depicts a large Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container having a screw on lid 10D with the finger or thumb print activation means, illustrating a vacuum pump connection fitting 116 mounted on the top of the lid. To create a vacuum inside the Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container 10D the vacuum pump connection fitting 116 would be connected to a hose running from a vacuum pump, then the pump turned on and vacuum inside the container would result. In this way, numerous containers could be connected in series and a vacuum created in each, or they could be connected on at a time to create a vacuum within the several containers

(42) FIG. 14 depicts a large Jar Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container having a screw on lid 10E with the finger or thumb biometric activation means, illustrating an electrically operated vacuum pump 120 mounted within the lid. This electrically operated vacuum pump 120 would be turned on and off using the on/off button switch 118. When the electrically operated vacuum pump 120 is turned on it would pull a vacuum from the container through screen 112 which would keep particles from entering the electrically operated vacuum pump 120. This electrically operated pump could be powered by the biometric locking mechanism battery or have its own on-board battery for a power source. It is anticipated that lithium-ion batteries would be employed.

(43) FIG. 15 depicts a large Jar Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Container having a screw on lid 10F with the biometric finger or thumb print activation means, illustrating a manually operated vacuum pump 124 mounted within the lid. The manually operated vacuum pump 124 is operated by pumping up and down on the pump button 122. This pumping action creates a vacuum within the container. As the pumping action of button 122 continued, a vacuum would be pulled within the container through screen 114 which would keep particles from entering the electrically operated vacuum pump 124.

(44) FIG. 16 depicts a full product kit for the Biometric Locking Jar with Integrated Vacuum Pump 10G including the locking lid 200, the jar 220, a fingerprint enrollment key 214, a USB charger 216 and a charging cord 218. Located on the top surface 212 of the locking lid 200 are an ON/OFF button 202, a fingerprint enrollment/reader 204, and an indicator LED light 206. Located on the side of the locking lid 200 are a USB charging cord port 208 and an air vent 210. The jar 220 shows contents 222 within the container and a smooth locking lid interface rim 224 described in greater detail below. In operation, when the ON/OFF button 202 is pushed, the vacuum pump is activated and pulls a vacuum within the jar, thereby sealing and securing the lid thereon. To release the sealed inner vacuum within the jar, a user must use an authorized enrolled fingerprint, swipe the finger across the fingerprint enrollment/reader 204 and this will release the vacuum through the air vent 210. The jar 220 may be made out of glass, thermoplastic, stainless steel or a composite material.

(45) FIG. 17 depicts a bottom view of the biometric locking lid 200. Features of the lower surface 230 of the lid include an air vent assembly 232, a fingerprint enrolling/reset button 234, and vacuum intake/check valve/filter element assembly 240 described in greater detail below. Along the circumference of the outer shell 236 of the biometric locking lid is a jar rim accepting and sealing groove 238. In operation, when pulling a vacuum, air is drawn from the jar through the vacuum intake/check valve/filter element assembly 240. The filter element 242 is positioned to ensure that dust and particles are not sent into the vacuum pump (not shown here, but described in greater detail below). In operation, the fingerprint enrollment key 214 (see FIG. 16) is inserted into the fingerprint enrolling/reset button 234 to enroll a user's fingerprint and to reset the CPU microprocessor and fingerprint enrolling feature within the biometric locking lid 200.

(46) FIG. 18 depicts a cross sectional view of the vacuum intake/check valve/filter element assembly 240. The filter element 242 has sides which fit into grooves 246 and is sealed by O-ring 254. Air from the inside of the jar is drawn through the port centrally located in the vacuum intake/check valve/filter element assembly 240 in the direction of arrow 256.

(47) FIG. 19 depicts a bottom view of the filter element 242 illustrating the flower lobe 248 configuration of the filter element cup sides 244.

(48) FIG. 20 depicts a cross sectional view of the labyrinth seal lid/jar interfacing gasket 250 running around the perimeter groove 238 of the outer portion 236 of the biometric locking lid 200. The labyrinth seal lid/jar interfacing gasket 250 includes a double bump side portion 252 of the gasket 250 to ensure a better seal, and to hold the vacuum generated within the jar. A microprocessor housed within the lid 200 (see FIG. 23) may be programmed to automatically activate the battery operated vacuum pump also housed within the lid 200 to pull a vacuum every three to seven days or so, to ensure that the generated vacuum within the jar 220 is not lost and the lid 200 remains securely attached to the jar 220.

(49) FIG. 21 depicts a side view of the biometric locking lid 200, showing the upper surface of the biometric locking lid 218, and illustrating the position of the USB charging port 208 and the air vent orifice 210 located on the sides of the biometric locking lid 200.

(50) FIG. 22 depicts a side view of the jar container 220 illustrating the biometric locking lid interface rim middle portion 224 located at the upper portion of the jar. The biometric locking lid interface rim middle portion 224 has a recessed upper portion 226 and an equally recessed lower portion 228. The upper portion 226 and the biometric locking lid interface rim middle portion 224 both interface with the labyrinth seal lid/jar interfacing gasket 250 with the double bump side portion 252 interfacing with the rim middle portion 224 and the gasket 250 interfacing with the upper portion 226. The resulting seal effectively holds a vacuum pulled within the jar 220.

(51) FIG. 23 depicts an exploded view of the biometric locking lid 200 with the upper lid cover 258 removed from the inner mechanism frame 260 which supports the battery/CPU microprocessor 262 and vacuum pump 264 components. The biometric locking lid 200 with the upper lid cover 258 includes the upper surface of the lid 212 which has an ON/OFF button 202, a fingerprint enrollment/reader 204, and an indicator LED light 206, as well as the USB charging cord port 208 and an air vent 210 located on the side of the biometric locking lid cover 258. When assembled, the lid cover 258 encloses the inner mechanism frame 260 which supports the battery/CPU microprocessor 262 and vacuum pump 264 components, while also exposing the ON/OFF button 202 and the fingerprint enrollment/reader 204.

(52) FIG. 24A depicts a conventional prescription bottle 270 having a biometric locking lid 272, constructed in accordance with the present invention, positioned on top of a conventional prescription pill or medicine container 274 commonly used to dispense and store prescriptions and over the counter medications. The inner components of the fingerprint reader and vacuum pump are miniaturized and housed within the biometric locking lid 272. When the fingerprint reader activates the vacuum pump, a vacuum is pulled within the conventional prescription bottle 274, in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 24B illustrates a top view of the biometric locking lid 272, including an ON/OFF button 276, a fingerprint enrollment/reader 277, and an LED indicator light 278.

(53) FIG. 25A depicts a conventional 5, 10 or 15 gallon pail having a biometric locking lid thereon 280. The conventional 5, 10 or 15 gallon pail 284 includes a biometric locking lid 282 and a handle 289, constructed in accordance with the present invention, positioned on top of a 5, 10 or 15 gallon pail container 284 commonly used today to dispense and store larger volumes of valuable substances that may require securing from unauthorized access. The inner components of the fingerprint reader and vacuum pump are housed within the biometric locking lid 282. When the fingerprint reader activates the vacuum pump, a vacuum is pulled within the conventional 5, 10 or 15 gallon pail 284, in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 25B illustrates a top view of the biometric locking lid 282, including an ON/OFF button 286, a fingerprint enrollment/reader 287, and an LED indicator light 288, and a handle 289.

(54) FIG. 26 depicts a 50 gallon drum having a biometric locking lid thereon 290. The conventional 50 gallon drum 294 includes a biometric locking lid 292, constructed in accordance with the present invention, positioned on top of the 50 gallon drum container 294 commonly used today to dispense and store larger volumes of valuable substances that may require securing from unauthorized access. The inner components of the fingerprint reader and vacuum pump are housed within the biometric locking lid 292. When the fingerprint reader activates the vacuum pump, a vacuum is pulled within the conventional 50 gallon drum 294, in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 26B illustrates a top view of the biometric locking lid 292, including an ON/OFF button 296, a fingerprint enrollment/reader 297, and an LED indicator light 298.

(55) The Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Containers 10A, 10B 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F and the Biometric Locking Jar with Integrated Vacuum Pump 10G shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present design. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described may be employed for providing a Biometric Locking Cannabis/Pill Containers 10A, 10B 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F and the Biometric Locking Jar with Integrated Vacuum Pump 10G in accordance with the spirit of this application, and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this application as broadly defined in the appended claims.

(56) While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, one portion of one of the embodiments described herein can be substituted for another portion in another embodiment described herein. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

(57) Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

(58) Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

(59) Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

(60) For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

(61) Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or may, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

(62) Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

(63) Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degree.

(64) The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.

(65) Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, foreign patent offices worldwide and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.