PUMPING APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING A FLOWABLE PRODUCT

Abstract

A pumping apparatus 1 for dispensing a flowable product comprises first and second peristaltic pumps 12, 14. The first peristaltic pump 12 comprises a first rotor 18 having at least one pressing member 20, a first cylindrical stator 19 in which the first rotor 18 is rotatable and first flexible tubing 30 extending circumferentially around the first stator 19 against a first inner wall 19a. The second peristaltic pump 14 comprises a second rotor 42 having at least one pressing member 46, a second cylindrical stator 44 in which the second rotor 42 is rotatable and second flexible tubing 54 extending circumferentially around the second stator 44 against a second inner wall 44a. The first and second inner walls 19a, 44a each have a first and second radius r1, r2 respectively with the first radius r1 being greater than the second radius r2, and at least one of the stators 19, 44 is movable relative to the other stator 19, 44.

Claims

1. A pumping apparatus for dispensing a flowable product, the apparatus comprising: a first peristaltic pump comprising: a first drivable rotor having at least one pressing member; a first cylindrical stator in which the first rotor is rotatable, the first stator having a first circumferential inner wall with a first radius; first flexible tubing having an inlet side and an outlet side, the first flexible tubing extending circumferentially around the first stator against the first inner wall; a second peristaltic pump comprising: a second drivable rotor having at least one pressing member; a second cylindrical stator in which the second rotor is rotatable, the second stator having a second circumferential inner wall with a second radius; second flexible tubing having an inlet side and an outlet side, the second flexible tubing extending circumferentially around the second stator against the second inner wall; wherein the first radius is greater than the second radius and at least one of the stators is movable relative to the other stator.

2. The pumping apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pump housing.

3. The pumping apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of the stators is mounted on or in the pump housing for movement relative to the other stator.

4. The pumping apparatus of claim 2, wherein both of the stators are mounted on or in the pump housing for movement relative to each other.

5. The pumping apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of the stators is formed by the pump housing and the other stator is mounted on or in the pump housing for movement relative to the pump housing.

6. The pumping apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one movable stator comprises a stator block that is movable relative to the pump housing.

7. The pumping apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus comprises retaining means for retaining the stator block on or in the pump housing, the retaining means being arranged to permit movement of the stator block relative to the pump housing.

8. The pumping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump housing comprises first and second housing parts which are movable relative to each other and the first and second stators are formed by the first and second housing parts.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. The pumping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first flexible tubing and the second flexible tubing have the same inner diameter.

13. The pumping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first flexible tubing and the second flexible tubing have a different inner diameter.

14. The pumping apparatus of claim 13, wherein the inner diameter of the first flexible tubing is greater than the inner diameter of the second flexible tubing.

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. The pumping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a first product outlet connector at the outlet side of the first flexible tubing and having an outlet axis, a second product outlet connector at the outlet side of the second flexible tubing and having an outlet axis, the outlet axes of the first and second product outlet connectors are substantially parallel with the rotational axes of the first and second rotors, and the first and second product outlet connectors are mounted on or in the pump housing and movable relative to the pump housing.

19. (canceled)

20. The pumping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first flexible tubing includes a first product outlet at the outlet side thereof, the second flexible tubing includes a second product outlet at the outlet side thereof, and the first and second product outlets are configured to dispense the flowable product directly into a receptacle.

21. The pumping apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first product outlet and the second product outlet have the same inner diameter.

22. The pumping apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first product outlet and the second product outlet have a different inner diameter.

23. The pumping apparatus of claim 22, wherein the inner diameter of the first product outlet is greater than the inner diameter of the second product outlet.

24. (canceled)

25. The pumping apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a single flowable product source, wherein the inlet side of the first flexible tubing and the inlet side of the second flexible tubing are each in fluid communication with the single flowable product source.

26. The pumping apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the single flowable product source comprises a flowable product reservoir.

27. The pumping apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the single flowable product source comprises an air-tight flexible pouch containing the flowable product.

28. The pumping apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first flowable product source and a second flowable product source not in fluid communication with the first flowable product source, wherein: the inlet side of the first flexible tubing is in fluid communication with the first flowable product source; and the inlet side of the second flexible tubing is in fluid communication with the second flowable product source.

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] FIGS. 1a and 1b are diagrammatic illustrations of a first embodiment of a pumping apparatus;

[0044] FIGS. 2a to 2d are diagrammatic illustrations showing the movement of a stator block of the pumping apparatus of FIGS. 1a and 1b;

[0045] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a second embodiment of a pumping apparatus;

[0046] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a third embodiment of a pumping apparatus;

[0047] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a fourth embodiment of a pumping apparatus;

[0048] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of a fifth embodiment of a pumping apparatus;

[0049] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a sixth embodiment of a pumping apparatus;

[0050] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a seventh embodiment of a pumping apparatus;

[0051] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of an eighth embodiment of a pumping apparatus;

[0052] FIGS. 10a and 10b are diagrammatic illustrations of the first embodiment of the pumping apparatus shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b in conjunction with a removably connectable single flowable product source;

[0053] FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of the first embodiment of the pumping apparatus shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b in conjunction with a connected single flowable product source;

[0054] FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic illustration of a ninth embodiment of a pumping apparatus; and

[0055] FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic illustration of the ninth embodiment of the pumping apparatus shown in FIG. 12 in conjunction with a connected single flowable product source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0056] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0057] Referring initially to FIGS. 1a and 1b, a pumping apparatus 1 comprises a first peristaltic pump 12, a second peristaltic pump 14 and a pump housing 16.

[0058] The first peristaltic pump 12 includes a first rotor 18, typically formed of a moulded substantially rigid plastics material, and a first cylindrical stator 19 in which the first rotor 18 is rotatably mounted. The first rotor 18 includes a plurality of pressing members 20 in the form of lobes 22 which are integrally formed with, and project radially outwardly from, a first spindle 24 and which are equally spaced around the circumference of the first spindle 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the first rotor 18 includes three lobes 22 but it will be appreciated that the first rotor 18 can include any suitable number of lobes 22. It will also be appreciated that other types of pressing members 20, for example rollers, can be used. The first spindle 24 includes a central drive aperture 26 which can be engaged by a first external rotary drive 28a (FIGS. 10 and 11), such as the drive shaft of an electric motor.

[0059] The first peristaltic pump 12 includes first flexible tubing 30 which can be formed of any suitable resilient plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride. The first flexible tubing 30 has an inlet side 32 through which flowable product, such as a viscous liquid, is delivered to the first peristaltic pump 12 and an outlet side 34 through which flowable product is delivered from the first peristaltic pump 12. The inlet side 32 and outlet side 34 are designated with respect to the normal direction of rotation of the first rotor 18 (clockwise in FIG. 1a). The inlet side 32 is connected to a first outlet port 38a of an outlet manifold 38 and the outlet side 34 is connected to a first product outlet connector 40. The first flexible tubing 30 extends circumferentially around the first cylindrical stator 19 against an inner wall 19a and the inlet side 32 and the outlet side 32 extend outwardly away from the first cylindrical stator 19 in a substantially radial direction.

[0060] The second peristaltic pump 14 includes a second rotor 42, typically formed of a moulded substantially rigid plastics material, and a second cylindrical stator 44 in which the second rotor 42 is rotatably mounted. The second rotor 42 includes a plurality of pressing members 46 in the form of lobes 48 which are integrally formed with, and project radially outwardly from, a second spindle 50 and which are equally spaced around the circumference of the second spindle 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the second rotor 42 includes three lobes 48 but it will be appreciated that the second rotor 42 can include any suitable number of lobes 48. It will also be appreciated that other types of pressing members 46, for example rollers, can be used. The second spindle 50 includes a central drive aperture 52 which can be engaged by a second external rotary drive 28b (FIGS. 10 and 11), such as the drive shaft of an electric motor.

[0061] The second peristaltic pump 14 includes second flexible tubing 54 which can be formed of any suitable resilient plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride. The second flexible tubing 54 has an inlet side 56 through which flowable product, such as a viscous liquid, is delivered to the second peristaltic pump 14 and an outlet side 58 through which the flowable product is delivered from the second peristaltic pump 14. The inlet side 56 and outlet side 58 are designated with respect to the normal direction of rotation of the second rotor 42 (clockwise in FIG. 1a). The inlet side 56 is connected to a second outlet port 38b of the outlet manifold 38 and the outlet side 58 is connected to a second product outlet connector 60. The second flexible tubing 54 extends circumferentially around the second cylindrical stator 44 against an inner wall 44a and the inlet side 56 and the outlet side 58 extend outwardly away from the second cylindrical stator 44 in a substantially radial direction.

[0062] The first cylindrical stator 19 has a first radius r1 and the second cylindrical stator 44 has a second radius r2. The first radius r1 is greater than the second radius r2, typically at least 20% greater. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the first flexible tubing 30 has a diameter, and in particular an inner diameter, which is greater than a diameter, and in particular an inner diameter, of the second flexible tubing 54. As explained earlier in the specification, the different diameters of the first and second stators 19, 44 and their associated first and second rotors 18, 42, and optionally the different diameters of the first and second flexible tubing 30, 54 of the first and second peristaltic pumps 12, 14, provides each of the pumps 12, 14 with different pumping characteristics. In particular, the larger first pump 12 with its larger diameter first flexible tubing 30 is capable of delivering large quantities of liquid or other flowable product in a relatively short amount of time whereas the smaller second pump 14 with its smaller diameter second flexible tubing 54 is capable of delivering smaller quantities of the liquid or other flowable product but with a higher degree of accuracy.

[0063] The first and second peristaltic pumps 12, 14 are coplanar, and more particularly the first and second rotors 18, 42 are coplanar. The first and second stators 19, 44 are similarly coplanar. The first and second rotors 18, 42 have rotational axes which are substantially parallel with each other and spaced apart from each other.

[0064] The pump housing 16 is typically formed of a moulded substantially rigid plastics material. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the first stator 19, and in particular the first inner wall 19a, is formed by the pump housing 16 as a circular recess 62a in the pump housing 16. The second stator 44 comprises a stator block 64a which is mounted in a complementary shaped recess 66a in the pump housing 16. The dimensions of the stator block 64a are slightly smaller than the dimensions of the recess 66a so that the stator block 64a can move laterally in the recess 66a and, hence, in the pump housing 16. This lateral movement allows the second stator 44, and its associated second rotor 42, to move relative to the first stator 19, and its associated first rotor 18, in the same plane, as is shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 2a to 2d. The pumping apparatus 1 includes retaining means (not shown) to retain the stator block 64a in the recess 66a in the pump housing 16 whilst permitting the aforesaid lateral movement relative to the first stator 19.

[0065] Each of the first and second product outlet connectors 40, 60 has an outlet axis which is substantially parallel with the rotational axes of the first and second rotors 18, 42. This enables the pumping apparatus 10, and more particularly the first and second rotors 18, 42, to be easily engaged and disengaged with the first and second external rotary drives 28a, 28b. This also enables the pumping apparatus 10, and more particularly the first and second product outlet connectors 40, 60, to be engaged with externally mounted first and second product inlet connectors 72a, 72b (FIGS. 10 and 11). In order to facilitate alignment of the first and second product outlet connectors 40, 60 with the externally mounted first and second product inlet connectors 72a, 72b, the first and second product outlet connectors 40, 60 are mounted in recesses 74a, 74b in the pump housing 16 which have a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the respective connectors 40, 60 and which, therefore, allow the connectors 40, 60 to move laterally in the recesses 74a, 74b in the pump housing 16 in the same plane as the laterally movable second stator 44 and its associated laterally movable second rotor 42.

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a second embodiment of a pumping apparatus 2 which is similar to the pumping apparatus 1 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and in which corresponding elements are identified using the same reference numerals.

[0067] In the pumping apparatus 2, the second stator 44, and in particular the second inner wall 44a, is formed by the pump housing 16 as a circular recess 62b in the pump housing 16. The first stator 19 comprises a stator block 64b which is mounted in a complementary shaped recess 66b in the pump housing 16. The dimensions of the stator block 64b are slightly smaller than the dimensions of the recess 66b so that the stator block 64b can move laterally in the recess 66b in the pump housing 16. This lateral movement allows the first stator 19, and its associated first rotor 18, to move relative to the second stator 44, and its associated second rotor 42, in the same plane. The pumping apparatus 2 includes retaining means (not shown) to retain the stator block 64b in the recess 66b in the pump housing 16 whilst permitting the aforesaid lateral movement relative to the second stator 44.

[0068] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a third embodiment of a pumping apparatus 3 which is similar to the pumping apparatus 1, 2 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and in which corresponding elements are identified using the same reference numerals.

[0069] In the pumping apparatus 3, the first stator 19 comprises a stator block 64b which is mounted in a complementary shaped recess 66b in the pump housing 16. The dimensions of the stator block 64b are slightly smaller than the dimensions of the recess 66b so that the stator block 64b can move laterally in the recess 66b in the pump housing 16 as described above. The second stator 44 also comprises a stator block 64a which is mounted in a complementary shaped recess 66a in the pump housing 16. The dimensions of the stator block 64a are slightly smaller than the dimensions of the recess 66a so that the stator block 64a can move laterally in the recess 66a in the pump housing 16 as described above. In this embodiment, it will be understood that the lateral movement of both of the stator blocks 64a, 64b in their respective recesses 66a, 66b allows the first and second stators 19, 44, and the associated first and second rotors 18, 42, to move relative to each other in the same plane.

[0070] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a fourth embodiment of a pumping apparatus 4 which is similar to the pumping apparatus 1 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and in which corresponding elements are identified using the same reference numerals.

[0071] In the pumping apparatus 4, the first stator 19, and in particular the first inner wall 19a, is formed by the pump housing 16 as a circular recess 62a in the pump housing 16. The second stator 44 comprises a stator block 64c which is mounted on a curved end of the pump housing 16 for lateral movement relative to the pump housing 16 as shown diagrammatically by the arrows in FIG. 5. As before, this lateral movement allows the second stator 44, and its associated second rotor 42, to move relative to the first stator 19, and its associated first rotor 18, in the same plane. The pumping apparatus 4 includes retaining means (not shown) to retain the stator block 64c in position on the end of the pump housing 16 whilst permitting the aforesaid lateral movement relative to the pump housing 16 and the first stator 19.

[0072] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a fifth embodiment of a pumping apparatus 5 which is similar to the pumping apparatus described above and in which corresponding elements are identified using the same reference numerals.

[0073] In the pumping apparatus 5, the pump housing 16 comprises first, second and third housing parts 16a-16c. The first and second stators 19, 44, and in particular their respective first and second inner walls 19a, 44a, are formed by the first and second housing parts 16a, 16b as a circular recess 62a, 62b in the first and second housing parts 16a, 16b. The first and second housing parts 16a, 16b are movably mounted on the third housing part 16c and are movable relative to each other in the same plane as shown diagrammatically by the arrows in FIG. 6. More particularly, both of the first and second housing parts 16a, 16b are mounted on opposite ends of the third housing part 16c by flexible mountings 70a, 70b which typically comprise a resilient material such as rubber. The first and second product outlet connectors 40, 60 are mounted on the third housing part 16c.

[0074] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a sixth embodiment of a pumping apparatus 6 which is similar to the pumping apparatus 5 described above with reference to FIG. 6 and in which corresponding elements are identified using the same reference numerals.

[0075] In the pumping apparatus 6, the pump housing 16 comprises first, second and third housing parts 16a-16c. The first and second stators 19, 44, and in particular their respective first and second inner walls 19a, 44a, are formed by the first and second housing parts 16a, 16b as a circular recess 62a, 62b in the first and second housing parts 16a, 16b. The first product outlet connector 40 is mounted on the second housing part 16b and the second product outlet connector 60 is mounted on the first housing part 16a.

[0076] The first, second and third housing parts 16a-c are mounted for movement relative to each other in the same plane in a chassis or resilient mount 90, which typically comprises a resilient material such as rubber.

[0077] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a seventh embodiment of a pumping apparatus 7 which is similar to the pumping apparatus 6 described above with reference to FIG. 7 and in which corresponding elements are identified using the same reference numerals.

[0078] In the pumping apparatus 7, the pump housing 16 comprises first to fifth housing parts 16a-16e. The first and second stators 19, 44, and in particular their respective first and second inner walls 19a, 44a, are formed by the first and second housing parts 16a, 16b as a circular recess 62a, 62b in the first and second housing parts 16a, 16b. The first product outlet connector 40 is mounted on the third housing part 16c and the second product outlet connector 60 is mounted on the fourth housing part 16d.

[0079] The housing parts 16a-e are mounted for movement relative to each other in the same plane in a chassis or resilient mount 90, which typically comprises a resilient material such as rubber.

[0080] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown an eighth embodiment of a pumping apparatus 8 which is similar to the pumping apparatus described above and in which corresponding elements are identified using the same reference numerals.

[0081] In the pumping apparatus 8, the pump housing 16 comprises first and second housing parts 16a, 16b. The first and second stators 19, 44, and in particular their respective first and second inner walls 19a, 44a, are formed by the first and second housing parts 16a, 16b as a circular recess 62a, 62b in the first and second housing parts 16a, 16b. The first and second housing parts 16a, 16b are mounted for movement relative to each other in the same plane in a chassis or resilient mount 90, which typically comprises a resilient material such as rubber.

[0082] The first and second product outlet connectors 40, 60 are also independently mounted for movement relative to each other and relative to the first and second stators 19, 44 in the chassis or resilient mount 90.

[0083] Referring now to FIGS. 10a and 10b, in a first example the pumping apparatus 1 is removably connectable to an air-tight flexible pouch 80 containing a flowable product. In order to deliver flowable product from the flexible pouch 80, the pumping apparatus 1 can be initially positioned on a dispensing apparatus 82 as shown schematically in FIG. 10a. During positioning, the central drive apertures 26, 52 in the first and second spindles 24, 50 of the first and second rotors 18, 42 are engaged respectively with the first and second external rotary drives 28a, 28b. Correct engagement of the first and second external rotary drives 28a, 28b with the central drive apertures 26, 52 is assured due to the fact that the second stator 44, and hence the second rotor 42, can move laterally relative to the first stator 19, and hence the first rotor 18.

[0084] The first and second product outlet connectors 40, 60 are also engaged respectively with the externally mounted first and second product inlet connectors 72a, 72b during positioning of the pumping apparatus 1 on the dispensing apparatus 82. As explained above, alignment and engagement of the first and second product outlet connectors 40, 60 with the first and second product inlet connectors 72a, 72b is assured due to the fact that the first and second product outlet connectors 40, 60 can move laterally in the oversized recesses 74a, 74b in the pump housing 16.

[0085] Once the pumping apparatus 1 has been positioned on the dispensing apparatus 82 as shown in FIG. 10b, the flexible pouch 80 can be connected to the pumping apparatus 1, and in particular an outlet 84 of the flexible pouch 80 can be connected to an inlet port 38c of the outlet manifold 38. The outlet manifold 38 ensures that the inlet side 32 of the first flexible tubing 30 and the inlet side 56 of the second flexible tubing 54 are both in simultaneous fluid communication with the flowable product in the flexible pouch 80. The flexible pouch 80 can be mounted in a rigid container 86, for example formed of corrugated cardboard, but it will be understood that this is not strictly necessary.

[0086] Referring now to FIG. 11, in a second example the pumping apparatus 1 is connected to an air-tight flexible pouch 80 containing a flowable product in the manner described above with reference to FIGS. 10a and 10b. In this second example, both the pumping apparatus 1 and the connected flexible pouch 80 are positioned in a rigid container 86 which again may be formed of a corrugated cardboard material.

[0087] In order to deliver flowable product from the flexible pouch 80, the rigid container 86 is positioned on a dispensing apparatus 82 as shown schematically in FIG. 11. During positioning, the central drive apertures 26, 52 in the first and second spindles 24, 50 of the first and second rotors 18, 42 are engaged respectively with the first and second external rotary drives 28a, 28b. Correct engagement of the first and second external rotary drives 28a, 28b with the central drive apertures 26, 52 is assured due to the fact that the second stator 44, and hence the second rotor 42, can move laterally relative to the first stator 19, and hence the first rotor 18.

[0088] The first and second product outlet connectors 40, 60 are also engaged respectively with the externally mounted first and second product inlet connectors 72a, 72b during positioning of the rigid container 86 on the dispensing apparatus 82. As explained above, alignment and engagement of the first and second product outlet connectors 40, 60 with the first and second product inlet connectors 72a, 72b is assured due to the fact that the first and second product outlet connectors 40, 60 can move laterally in the oversized recesses 74a, 74b in the pump housing 16.

[0089] Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown a ninth embodiment of a pumping apparatus 9 which is similar to the pumping apparatus 1 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and in which corresponding elements are identified using the same reference numerals.

[0090] In the pumping apparatus 9, the first and second flexible tubing 30, 54 include respectively first and second product outlets 100, 102 in the form of first and second dispensing needles 104, 106 at their outlet sides 34, 58. The first and second dispensing needles 104, 106 form a dispensing unit 108 which can be mounted on a support (not shown) by a mounting element 110 such that the first and second dispensing needles 104, 106 can dispense flowable product directly into a common receptacle.

[0091] The first dispensing needle 104 has a diameter, and in particular an inner diameter, which is greater than the diameter, and in particular the inner diameter, of the second dispensing needle 106. It will be understood that the larger diameter first dispensing needle 104 is suited to dispensing large quantities of liquid or other flowable product in a relatively short amount of time during operation of the larger first pump 12 with its larger diameter first flexible tubing 30 whereas the smaller diameter second dispensing needle 106 is suited to dispensing smaller quantities of the liquid or other flowable product but with a higher degree of accuracy during operation of the smaller second pump 14 with its smaller diameter second flexible tubing 54.

[0092] Referring now to FIG. 13, the pumping apparatus 9 is connected to an air-tight flexible pouch 80 containing flowable product in the same manner described above with reference to FIG. 11.

[0093] In order to deliver flowable product from the flexible pouch 80, the rigid container 86 is positioned on a dispensing apparatus 82 as shown schematically in FIG. 13. During positioning, the central drive apertures 26, 52 in the first and second spindles 24, 50 of the first and second rotors 18, 42 are engaged respectively with the first and second external rotary drives 28a, 28b. As explained above, correct engagement of the first and second external rotary drives 28a, 28b with the central drive apertures 26, 52 is assured due to the fact that the second stator 44, and hence the second rotor 42, can move laterally relative to the first stator 19, and hence the first rotor 18.

[0094] The first and second flexible tubing 30, 54 advantageously extend away from the first and second pumps 12, 14 through the rigid container 86 and alongside the flexible pouch 80 so that they do not impede engagement of the first and second external rotary drives 28a, 28b with the central drive apertures 26, 52. As noted above, the dispensing unit 108 comprising the first and second dispensing needles 104, 106 can be mounted on a support (not shown) by engaging the mounting element 110 with the support.

[0095] Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments.

[0096] Any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0097] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.