STRUCTURAL COLORED INK AND ITS PREPARATION AND USE

Abstract

The disclosure provides a structural colored ink and its preparation and use. The ink comprises 10 to 15 wt. % of a pigment, 20 to 40 wt. % of a resin, 50 to 65 wt. % of a solvent, and 2 to 5 wt. % of an auxiliary. The pigment comprises an optically variable pigment and a pearlescent pigment. The resin is at least one selected from a polyurethane resin, an acrylic resin, and a nitrocellulose solution. The solvent is an alcohol, an ester, or a mixed solvent thereof. The ink is alcohol-soluble and environmentally friendly, and has excellent anti-sediment property and stability. Prints made from the ink can have a high color purity, a mild color changing effect, and a color changing and sparkling effect when the viewing angle is changed. So, the ink can have a potential application prospect in screen printing for medium- and high-end packaging products.

Claims

1. A structural colored ink, comprising: 10 to 15% by weight of a pigment; 20 to 40% by weight of a resin; 50 to 65% by weight of a solvent; and 2 to 5% by weight of an auxiliary; wherein, the pigment comprises an optically variable pigment and a pearlescent pigment; the resin is at least one selected from a polyurethane resin, an acrylic resin, and a nitrocellulose solution; and the solvent is an alcohol, an ester, or a mixed solvent thereof.

2. The structural colored ink according to claim 1, wherein, a weight ratio of the pearlescent pigment to the optionally variable pigment is from 1 to 9; and wherein, the optionally variable pigment has a particle size of 5 to 10 microns, and the pearlescent pigment has a particle size of 5 to 100 microns.

3. The structural colored ink according to claim 1, wherein, the solvent is a mixed solvent of an alcohol and an ester; preferably, the alcohol is at least one selected from ethanol, isopropanol, and cyclohexanone; and preferably, the ester is at least one selected from ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, and 2-methoxyethyl acetate; further preferably, the solvent is a mixed solvent of isopropanol and ethyl acetate, wherein, a weight ratio of the isopropanol to the ethyl acetate in the mixed solvent is from 2 to 1.

4. The structural colored ink according to claim 1, wherein, the resin is a polyurethane resin.

5. The structural colored ink according to claim 1, wherein, the auxiliary comprises 0.5 to 1.5% by weight of an anti-sediment agent, 0.5 to 1.5% by weight of erucylamide, 0.5 to 2% by weight of a defoaming agent, 0.5 to 1% by weight of a polyethylene micronization wax, and 0.5 to 1% by weight of a dispersing agent.

6. A method for preparing the structural colored ink according to claim 1, the method comprising: adding the resin to a mixture of the pigment and the solvent and mixing until homogeneous, followed by addition of the auxiliary and further homogeneous mixing, so as to obtain the structural colored ink.

7. A method for preparing the structural colored ink according to claim 2, the method comprising: adding the resin to a mixture of the pigment and the solvent and mixing until homogeneous, followed by addition of the auxiliary and further homogeneous mixing, so as to obtain the structural colored ink.

8. A method for preparing the structural colored ink according to claim 3, the method comprising: adding the resin to a mixture of the pigment and the solvent and mixing until homogeneous, followed by addition of the auxiliary and further homogeneous mixing, so as to obtain the structural colored ink.

9. A method for preparing the structural colored ink according to claim 4, the method comprising: adding the resin to a mixture of the pigment and the solvent and mixing until homogeneous, followed by addition of the auxiliary and further homogeneous mixing, so as to obtain the structural colored ink.

10. A method for preparing the structural colored ink according to claim 5, the method comprising: adding the resin to a mixture of the pigment and the solvent and mixing until homogeneous, followed by addition of the auxiliary and further homogeneous mixing, so as to obtain the structural colored ink.

11. The method according to claim 6, wherein, the mixture of the pigment and the solvent is formed with stirring, wherein the stirring is carried out with a stirring speed of 300 to 500 rpm at a temperature of 30 to 35° C. for 2 to 5 hours.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein, the mixture of the pigment and the solvent is formed with stirring, wherein the stirring is carried out with a stirring speed of 300 to 500 rpm at a temperature of 30 to 35° C. for 2 to 5 hours.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein, the mixture of the pigment and the solvent is formed with stirring, wherein the stirring is carried out with a stirring speed of 300 to 500 rpm at a temperature of 30 to 35° C. for 2 to 5 hours.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein, the mixture of the pigment and the solvent is formed with stirring, wherein the stirring is carried out with a stirring speed of 300 to 500 rpm at a temperature of 30 to 35° C. for 2 to 5 hours.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein, the mixture of the pigment and the solvent is formed with stirring, wherein the stirring is carried out with a stirring speed of 300 to 500 rpm at a temperature of 30 to 35° C. for 2 to 5 hours.

16. The method according to claim 6, wherein, the mixing, after the addition of the resin, is carried out by stirring, wherein the stirring is carried out with a stirring speed of 300 to 500 rpm for 10 to 60 minutes.

17. The method according to claim 7, wherein, the mixing, after the addition of the resin, is carried out by stirring, wherein the stirring is carried out with a stirring speed of 300 to 500 rpm for 10 to 60 minutes.

18. The method according to claim 8, wherein, the mixing, after the addition of the resin, is carried out by stirring, wherein the stirring is carried out with a stirring speed of 300 to 500 rpm for 10 to 60 minutes.

19. The method according to claim 6, wherein, the mixing, after the addition of the auxiliary, is carried out by stirring, wherein the stirring is carried out with a stirring speed of 300 to 500 rpm for 4 to 6 hours.

20. Use of the structural colored ink according to claim 1 in screen printing, preferably using a 100 to 200 mesh screen.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] In order to describe the present disclosure or the prior art more clearly, drawings referred to in the following description will now be briefly described. Apparently, these drawings are provided merely to illustrate some embodiments of the present disclosure. Other drawings will be, or will become, apparent to those of skill in the art in light of these drawings.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows optionally variable effects, at different viewing angles, of a screen-printed pattern obtained using a structural colored ink according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 2 shows optionally variable effects, at different viewing angles, of a screen-printed pattern obtained using a structural colored ink according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 3 shows optionally variable effects, at different viewing angles, of a screen-printed pattern obtained using a structural colored ink according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 4 shows optionally variable effects, at different viewing angles, of a screen-printed pattern obtained using a structural colored ink according to a yet further embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0043] FIG. 5 shows optionally variable effects, at different viewing angles, of a screen-printed pattern obtained using a structural colored ink according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. It should be understood, however, that the exemplary embodiments are provided to further illustrate the present disclosure and not to be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Reaction conditions not indicated in the following exemplary embodiments can be conventional or can be carried out following the manufacturer's recommendations. Reagents or instruments used in the exemplary embodiments without specified manufacturers can be any commercially available ones.

Example 1

[0045] The ingredients for a structural colored ink are listed in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Ingredients for a structural colored ink and amounts thereof Ingredients Weight percents Pigments Optionally variable pigment 1% (5 to 10 microns)  Pearlescent pigment 9% (5 to 100 microns) Isopropanol 30%  Ethyl acetate 30%  Polyurethane resin 25%  Anti-sediment agent 1% Erucylamide 1% Defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer) 1% Polyethylene micronization wax 1% Dispersing agent 1%

[0046] A structural colored ink was prepared according to the ingredients and the amounts thereof stated in Table 1 as follows.

[0047] The structural colored pigments were slowly poured into a mixed solvent of isopropanol and ethyl acetate with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a speed of 500 rpm for 3 hours.

[0048] After the pigments and the mixed solvent had been thoroughly mixed, the polyurethane resin was added thereto, and stirred with a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 30 minutes.

[0049] To the resulting solution, the anti-sediment agent, the erucylamide, the defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer), and the polyethylene micronization wax were added with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 5 hours, so that a structural colored ink was obtained. The ink obtained is referred to hereinafter as the Z1.sup.# sample.

Example 2

[0050] The ingredients for a structural colored ink are listed in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Ingredients for a structural colored ink and amounts thereof Ingredients Weight percents Pigments Optionally variable pigment 2% (5 to 10 microns)  Pearlescent pigment 9% (5 to 100 microns) Isopropanol 28%  Ethyl acetate 30%  Polyurethane resin 25%  Anti-sediment agent 1% Erucylamide 1% Defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer) 1% Polyethylene micronization wax 1% Dispersing agent 1%

[0051] A structural colored ink was prepared according to the ingredients and the amounts thereof stated in Table 2 as follows.

[0052] The structural colored pigments were slowly poured into a mixed solvent of isopropanol and ethyl acetate with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a speed of 500 rpm for 3 hours.

[0053] After the pigments and the mixed solvent had been thoroughly mixed, the polyurethane resin was added thereto, and stirred with a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 30 minutes.

[0054] To the resulting solution, the anti-sediment agent, the erucylamide, the defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer), and the polyethylene micronization wax were added with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 5 hours, so that a structural colored ink was obtained. The ink obtained is referred to hereinafter as the Z2.sup.# sample.

Example 3

[0055] The ingredients for a structural colored ink are listed in Table 3.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Ingredients for a structural colored ink and amounts thereof Ingredients Weight percents Pigments Optionally variable pigment 4% (5 to 10 microns)  Pearlescent pigment 8% (5 to 100 microns) Isopropanol 27%  Ethyl acetate 30%  Polyurethane resin 25%  Anti-sediment agent 1% Erucylamide 1% Defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer) 1% Polyethylene micronization wax 1% Dispersing agent 1%

[0056] A structural colored ink was prepared according to the ingredients and the amounts thereof stated in Table 3 as follows.

[0057] The structural colored pigments were slowly poured into a mixed solvent of isopropanol and ethyl acetate with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a speed of 500 rpm for 3 hours.

[0058] After the pigments and the mixed solvent had been thoroughly mixed, the polyurethane resin was added thereto, and stirred with a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 30 minutes.

[0059] To the resulting solution, the anti-sediment agent, the erucylamide, the defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer), and the polyethylene micronization wax were added with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 5 hours, so that a structural colored ink was obtained. The ink obtained is referred to hereinafter as the Z3.sup.# sample.

Example 4

[0060] The ingredients for a structural colored ink are listed in Table 4.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Ingredients for a structural colored ink and amounts thereof Ingredients Weight percents Pigments Optionally variable pigment 6% (5 to 10 microns)  Pearlescent pigment 8% (5 to 100 microns) Isopropanol 26%  Ethyl acetate 30%  Polyurethane resin 25%  Anti-sediment agent 1% Erucylamide 1% Defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer) 1% Polyethylene micronization wax 1% Dispersing agent 1%

[0061] A structural colored ink was prepared according to the ingredients and the amounts thereof stated in Table 4 as follows.

[0062] The structural colored pigments were slowly poured into a mixed solvent of isopropanol and ethyl acetate with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a speed of 500 rpm for 3 hours.

[0063] After the pigments and the mixed solvent had been thoroughly mixed, the polyurethane resin was added thereto, and stirred with a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 30 minutes.

[0064] To the resulting solution, the anti-sediment agent, the erucylamide, the defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer), and the polyethylene micronization wax were added with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 5 hours, so that a structural colored ink was obtained. The ink obtained is referred to hereinafter as the Z4.sup.# sample.

Example 5

[0065] The ingredients for a structural colored ink are listed in Table 5.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Ingredients for a structural colored ink and amounts thereof Ingredients Weight percents Pigments Optionally variable pigment 7.5% (5 to 10 microns)  Pearlescent pigment 7.5% (5 to 100 microns) Isopropanol 25%  Ethyl acetate 30%  Polyurethane resin 25%  Anti-sediment agent 1% Erucylamide 1% Defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer) 1% Polyethylene micronization wax 1% Dispersing agent 1%

[0066] A structural colored ink was prepared according to the ingredients and the amounts thereof stated in Table 5 as follows.

[0067] The structural colored pigments were slowly poured into a mixed solvent of isopropanol and ethyl acetate with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a speed of 500 rpm for 3 hours.

[0068] After the pigments and the mixed solvent had been thoroughly mixed, the polyurethane resin was added thereto, and stirred with a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 30 minutes.

[0069] To the resulting solution, the anti-sediment agent, the erucylamide, the defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer), and the polyethylene micronization wax were added with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 5 hours, so that a structural colored ink was obtained. The ink obtained is referred to hereinafter as the Z5.sup.# sample.

Example 6

[0070] The ingredients for a structural colored ink are listed in Table 6.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Ingredients for a structural colored ink and amounts thereof Ingredients Weight percents Pigments Optionally variable pigment 6.5% (5 to 10 microns)  Pearlescent pigment 6.5% (5 to 100 microns) Isopropanol 27%  Ethyl acetate 25%  Polyurethane resin 30%  Anti-sediment agent 1% Erucylamide 1% Defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer) 1% Polyethylene micronization wax 1% Dispersing agent 1%

[0071] A structural colored ink was prepared according to the ingredients and the amounts thereof stated in Table 6 as follows.

[0072] The structural colored pigments were slowly poured into a mixed solvent of isopropanol and ethyl acetate with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a speed of 500 rpm for 3 hours.

[0073] After the pigments and the mixed solvent had been thoroughly mixed, the polyurethane resin was added thereto, and stirred with a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 30 minutes.

[0074] To the resulting solution, the anti-sediment agent, the erucylamide, the defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer), and the polyethylene micronization wax were added with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 5 hours, so that a structural colored ink was obtained. The ink obtained is referred to hereinafter as the Z6.sup.# sample.

Example 7

[0075] The ingredients for a structural colored ink are listed in Table 7.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Ingredients for a structural colored ink and amounts thereof Ingredients Weight percents Pigments Optionally variable pigment 6.5% (5 to 10 microns)  Pearlescent pigment 6.5% (5 to 100 microns) Isopropanol 27%  Ethyl acetate 20%  Polyurethane resin 35%  Anti-sediment agent 1% Erucylamide 1% Defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer) 1% Polyethylene micronization wax 1% Dispersing agent 1%

[0076] A structural colored ink was prepared according to the ingredients and the amounts thereof stated in Table 3 as follows.

[0077] The structural colored pigments were slowly poured into a mixed solvent of isopropanol and ethyl acetate with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a speed of 500 rpm for 3 hours.

[0078] After the pigments and the mixed solvent had been thoroughly mixed, the polyurethane resin was added thereto, and stirred with a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 30 minutes.

[0079] To the resulting solution, the anti-sediment agent, the erucylamide, the defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer), and the polyethylene micronization wax were added with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 5 hours, so that a structural colored ink was obtained. The ink obtained is referred to hereinafter as the Z7.sup.# sample.

Example 8

[0080] The ingredients for a structural colored ink are listed in Table 8.

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Ingredients for a structural colored ink and amounts thereof Ingredients Weight percents Pigments Optionally variable pigment 6.5% (5 to 10 microns)  Pearlescent pigment 6.5% (5 to 100 microns) Isopropanol 27%  Ethyl acetate 15%  Polyurethane resin 40%  Anti-sediment agent 1% Erucylamide 1% Defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer) 1% Polyethylene micronization wax 1% Dispersing agent 1%

[0081] A structural colored ink was prepared according to the ingredients and the amounts thereof stated in Table 8 as follows.

[0082] The structural colored pigments were slowly poured into a mixed solvent of isopropanol and ethyl acetate with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a speed of 500 rpm for 3 hours.

[0083] After the pigments and the mixed solvent had been thoroughly mixed, the polyurethane resin was added thereto, and stirred with a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 30 minutes.

[0084] To the resulting solution, the anti-sediment agent, the erucylamide, the defoaming agent (organo-silicon polymer), and the polyethylene micronization wax were added with stirring to be thoroughly mixed by stirring at a stirring speed of 500 rpm for 5 hours, so that a structural colored ink was obtained. The ink obtained is referred to hereinafter as the Z8.sup.# sample.

Test Example 1: Performance Characterization of the Structural Colored Inks

[0085] The ink samples in Examples 1 to 8 each were tested using an X-Rite spectrophotometer, a Navo-Gloss glossmeter, a NDJ-79 rotary viscometer, and a 3M adhesive tape. Five points were randomly selected on each sample and were subjected to the tests. Test results for the five points on each sample were averaged and listed in Table 9.

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Performances of structural colored inks Sample No. Z1.sup.# Z2.sup.# Z3.sup.# Z4.sup.# Z5.sup.# Z6.sup.# Z7.sup.# Z8.sup.# Solid content 37% 39% 40% 41% 42% 42% 47% 52% Chroma L 49.24 56.11 63.584 57.768 46.24 48.92 54.15 65.238 a −11.56 −12.472 −11.924 −12.502 −10.41 −11.34 −11.77 −12.116 b 16.306 17.326 17.438 17.958 14.82 15.48 17.82 16.534 Color density 0.914 0.816 0.616 0.768 0.582 0.97 0.92 0.86 Gloss (75°) 47.9 41.7 35.68 33.16 30.98 47.86 50.312 58.32 Viscosity (mp .Math. s) 204 221.4 210 209 235 425.6 745.8 772 No No No No No No No No Adhesion peeling of peeling of peeling of peeling of peeling of peeling of peeling of peeling of (with 3M adhesive 99.98% of 99.95% of 99.96% of 99.99% of 99.99% of 99.98% of 99.99% of 99.98% of tape applied 3 times) the ink was the ink was the ink was the ink was the ink was the ink was the ink was the ink was observed. observed. observed. observed. observed. observed. observed. observed. Dryness Complete Complete Complete Complete Complete Complete Complete Complete

[0086] The results of Table 9 showed that the brightness and viscosity of the sample increased as the amount of the structural colored pigments increased, and the gloss decreased as the amount of the pigments increased due to the fact that the pigments themselves had a large particle size. The results also showed that the ink had a strong adhesion to a substrate and a good drying characteristic.

[0087] In addition, the gloss and viscosity of the sample increased as the amount of the resin increased. When the resin amount was higher than 30%, the ink would be difficult to penetrate through a screen while performing the screen printing. So, the resin amount should be appropriately lowered.

Test Example 2: Effects of Amounts of the Pearlescent and Optically Variable Pigments on Chroma Provided by the Ink Samples

[0088] The Z1.sup.#-Z5.sup.# samples were photographed using a camera at angles of zero and 45 degrees. Five points were selected on the sample pictures and were subjected to color measurement using a Photoshop software to obtain Lab values, which were then averaged. Chromatic aberrations were then calculated based on the averaged Lab values for the various samples so as to make a comparison. The results were shown in Table 10.

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Effects of amounts of the pearlescent and optically variable pigments on chroma provided by the ink samples Pearlescent/optically variable pigments Z1.sup.# Z2.sup.# Z3.sup.# Z4.sup.# Z5.sup.# Chromatic values L a b L a b L a b L a b L a b 0° 60 −33 −5 60 −29 −8 61 −26 −12 59 −22 −18 60 −24 −18 45° 43 21 −6 48 18 −4 47 16 −2 38 16 −3 40 16 −4 Chromatic aberrations 57.0964 49.163 45.3872 45.9347 46.8615 Optically variable Excellent Sparkling effect Good optically Good optically Good optically effect (visual) optically variable and excellent variable effect variable effect variable effect effect, but poor optically and good and good and good sparkling effect variable effect sparkling effect sparkling effect sparkling effect

[0089] The results of Table 10 showed that as the amount of the pearlescent pigment increased, the chromatic aberration gradually decreased, and the optically variable effect became milder. In addition, the sample became more shiny as the amount of the pearlescent pigment increased.

Test Example 3: Printing of Proofs by Using Inks with Different Pearlescent and Optically Variable Pigments

[0090] Screen printing was carried out by using the Z6.sup.# sample in Example 6 to test the printability of the ink sample.

[0091] A screen printing unit was employed to perform the printing on a piece of black matte card paper (printing substrate) at a printing speed of 6 meters per minute. The screen had a mesh size of 180 mesh. An optionally variable pigment was mixed with a color changing pearlescent pigment and a monochrome pearlescent pigment with different particle sizes to form a structural colored pigment. Resulting preferred proofs were shown in Table 11.

[0092] As shown in Table 11, the term “optionally variable pigment 1” referred to an optionally variable pigment having a particle size of 5 microns; the term “optionally variable pigment 2” referred to an optionally variable pigment having a particle size of 10 microns; and, the term “optionally variable pigment 3” referred to an optionally variable pigment having a particle size of 8 microns. The term “pearlescent pigment 1” referred to a pearlescent pigment having a particle size of 25 microns; the term “pearlescent pigment 2” referred to a pearlescent pigment having a particle size of 40 microns; the term “pearlescent pigment 3” referred to a pearlescent pigment having a particle size of 60 microns; and the term “pearlescent pigment 4” referred to a pearlescent pigment having a particle size of 100 microns.

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Proofs printed using mixtures of different pearlescent and optionally variable pigments Proof No. Pigments Effects (from different viewing angles) 1 Optionally variable pigment 1 + Three mild color changing effects; and pearlescent pigment 1 excellent sparkling effect (FIG. 1) 2 Optionally variable pigment 1 + Three mild color changing effects; and pearlescent pigment 2 excellent sparkling effect (FIG. 2) 3 Optionally variable pigment 2 + Two color changing effects with significant pearlescent pigment 1 contrast; and excellent sparkling effect (FIG. 3) 4 Optionally variable pigment 2 + Two color changing effects with significant pearlescent pigment 3 contrast; and excellent sparkling effect (FIG. 4) 5 Optionally variable pigment 3 + Two color changing effects with significant pearlescent pigment 4 contrast; and excellent sparkling effect (FIG. 5)

[0093] As seen in FIGS. 1 to 5, when an optionally variable pigment was mixed with a monochrome pearlescent pigment, three mild color changing effects or a sparkling effect occurred, which followed the color material mixing law. Similarly, when an optionally variable pigment was mixed with a color changing pearlescent pigment, three mild color changing effects or a sparkling effect occurred, which followed the color material mixing law. Moreover, when the color systems seen from the same viewing angle were the same, the color changing effect can be enhanced. So, a structural colored ink presenting a particular color changing effect can be produced by mixing the optically variable pigment and the pearlescent pigment in a certain ratio.

[0094] It was also found that the ink exhibited a good stability during the screen printing process, and the resulting proofs can be dried completely on the printing spot and provided clear print with a noticeable pearlescent effect. Further, the resulting print was well resistant to rub and chemical corrosion.

[0095] Finally, it is noted that the above embodiments are provided merely for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Although the embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that various modifications and equivalents may be made hereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure.