Abstract
A media roll holder assembly a web-based printing system comprises a support for rotatably supporting the roll in an operative position, a holding element for rotatably holding the roll on the support, and a pivotable arm on which the holding element is provided. The pivotable arm is formed and positioned to position the holding element on the roll, such that a lifting force for lifting the roll from the support results in a holding force on the holding element in the first angular direction for holding the roll in the operative position on the support. The roll is then rotatably secured in its operative without excess angular forces acting on the roll. As the rotation of the roll is substantially unimpeded, the medium may be transported with great precision, resulting in high quality printing.
Claims
1. A media roll holder assembly for a roll that is detachably supported in a printing system, the assembly comprising: a support positioned to support the roll in an operative position, such that the roll is arranged to rotate around a rotation axis; a holding element positionable in a holding position at a periphery of the roll to engage the roll at a contact point for rotatably holding the roll on the support; a pivotable arm on which the holding element is provided, the pivotable arm being configured to pivot around a pivot axis, wherein the holding element in the holding position is angularly positioned at an angle of at least 180 from the pivot axis with respect to the rotation axis, as measured around the rotation axis from the pivot axis to the holding element in a first pivoting direction, wherein when the pivotable arm moves in the first pivoting direction, the holding element is urged to move towards the rotation axis.
2. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein during use the support supports a lower half of the roll and the holding element in the holding position is positioned at a top half of the roll.
3. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pivotable arm is configured, such that a lifting force on the roll results in a holding force on the holding element in the holding position in a first angular direction, which holding force urges the pivotable arm in the first pivoting direction, thereby urging the holding element against the roll for clamping the roll between the holding element and the support.
4. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pivotable arm is configured to pivot around the pivot axis, such that in a first pivoting direction the distance between the holding element and the rotation axis of the roll is decreased.
5. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pivotable arm extends from the pivot axis along a first side with respect to a central plane extending in a feed direction wherein a web leaves the roll, through the central plane to a second side with respect to the central plane, such that the pivotable arm positions the holding element at the periphery of the roll in the holding position.
6. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the majority of the pivotable arm extends on the first side with respect to the central plane.
7. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the holding element in the holding position is positioned angularly offset with respect to a top point positioned on a periphery of the roll, said top point being positioned on an opposite side of the roll with respect to the support.
8. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the angle is between 180 and 270 with respect to the rotation axis.
9. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises a pair of rotatable support wheels angularly spaced apart from one another with respect to a rotation axis of the roll in the operative position.
10. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the holding element comprises a holding wheel provided rotatably on the pivotable arm.
11. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 9, further comprising an urging element for urging the pivotable arm into the holding position.
12. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a stop element for contacting the pivotable arm to limit an angular pivoting range of the pivotable arm in the first pivoting direction.
13. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pivotable arm is positioned laterally to a side of the transport path, wherein the support and a pivot axis for the pivotable arm are positioned below the roll with respect to the transport path, and wherein the pivotable arm is curved partially around the roll from the pivot axis past a top point on the roll with respect to the transport path.
14. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the holding element and the pivot axis are positioned on opposite sides of a central plane extending through the rotation axis of the roll in the feeding direction, such that the pivotable arm extends through the central plane to position the holding element in the holding position on the roll.
15. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein pivot axis and the holding element in the holding position are positioned on opposite sides of a horizontal plane extending through the rotation axis.
16. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 15, wherein the support is positioned on the same side of the horizontal plane as the pivot axis.
17. The media roll holder according to claim 16, wherein the pivotable arm substantially follows the circumference of the roll over the at least 180 angle.
18. The media roll holder according to claim 17, wherein during use an effective diameter of the pivotable arm over the at least 180 angle is greater than a diameter of the roll.
19. The media roll holder according to claim 14, wherein the pivotable arm is substantially C-shaped.
20. Printing system for printing web media, comprising a media roll holder according to claim 1.
21. The media roll holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pivotable arm extends in an arc of at least 180 between the pivot axis and the holding element.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying schematical drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
(2) FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of a printing system according to the present invention;
(3) FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of an image forming unit of the printing system in FIG. 1A;
(4) FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a media roll holder assembly according to the present invention during operation;
(5) FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the media roll holder assembly of FIG. 2 in the open position;
(6) FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the media roll holder assembly of FIG. 2 further comprises force arrows illustrating the forces acting in the assembly;
(7) FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a media roll holder assembly according to the present invention during operation;
(8) FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a further embodiment of a media roll holder assembly according to the present invention during operation; and
(9) FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of an even further embodiment of a media roll holder assembly according to the present invention during operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(10) The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views.
(11) FIG. 1A shows an image forming apparatus 1, wherein printing is achieved using a wide format inkjet printer. The wide-format image forming apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2, wherein the printing assembly, for example the ink jet printing assembly shown in FIG. 1B is placed. The image forming apparatus 1 also comprises a storage means for storing image receiving member 3, 4, a delivery station to collect the image receiving member 3, 4 after printing and storage means 5 for marking material. In FIG. 1A, the delivery station is embodied as a delivery tray 6. Optionally, the delivery station may comprise processing means for processing the image receiving member 3, 4 after printing, e.g. a folder or a puncher. The wide-format image forming apparatus 1 furthermore comprises means for receiving print jobs and optionally means for manipulating print jobs. These means may include a user interface unit 8 and/or a control unit 7, for example a computer.
(12) Images are printed on a image receiving member, for example paper, supplied by a roll 3, 4. The roll 3 is supported on the roll support R1, while the roll 4 is supported on the roll support R2. Alternatively, cut sheet image receiving members may be used instead of rolls 3, 4 of image receiving member. Printed sheets of the image receiving member, cut off from the roll 3, 4, are deposited in the delivery tray 6.
(13) Each one of the marking materials for use in the printing assembly are stored in four containers 5 arranged in fluid connection with the respective print heads for supplying marking material to said print heads.
(14) The local user interface unit 8 is integrated to the print engine and may comprise a display unit and a control panel. Alternatively, the control panel may be integrated in the display unit, for example in the form of a touch-screen control panel. The local user interface unit 8 is connected to a control unit 7 placed inside the printing apparatus 1. The control unit 7, for example a computer, comprises a processor adapted to issue commands to the print engine, for example for controlling the print process. The image forming apparatus 1 may optionally be connected to a network N. The connection to the network N is diagrammatically shown in the form of a cable 9, but nevertheless, the connection could be wireless. The image forming apparatus 1 may receive printing jobs via the network. Further, optionally, the controller of the printer may be provided with a USB port, so printing jobs may be sent to the printer via this USB port.
(15) FIG. 1B shows an ink jet printing assembly 10. The ink jet printing assembly 10 comprises supporting means for supporting an image receiving member 3. The supporting means 11 are shown in FIG. 1B as a platen 11, but alternatively, the supporting means 11 may be a flat surface. The platen 11, as depicted in FIG. 1B, is a rotatable drum 11, which is rotatable about its axis as indicated by arrow A. The supporting means 11 may be optionally provided with suction holes for holding the image receiving member 3 in a fixed position with respect to the supporting means 11. The ink jet printing assembly 10 comprises print heads 12a-12d, mounted on a scanning print carriage 13. The scanning print carriage 13 is guided by suitable guiding means 14, 15 to move in reciprocation in the main scanning direction B. Each print head 12a-12d comprises an orifice surface 16, which orifice surface 16 is provided with at least one orifice 17. The print heads 12a-12d are configured to eject droplets of marking material onto the image receiving member 3. The platen 11, the carriage 13 and the print heads 12a-12d are controlled by suitable controlling means 18a, 18b and 18c, respectively.
(16) The image receiving member 3 may be a medium in web or in sheet form and may be composed of e.g. paper, cardboard, label stock, coated paper, plastic or textile. Alternatively, the image receiving member 3 may also be an intermediate member, endless or not. Examples of endless members, which may be moved cyclically, are a belt or a drum. The image receiving member 3 is moved in the sub-scanning direction A by the platen 11 along four print heads 12a-12d provided with a fluid marking material.
(17) A scanning print carriage 13 carries the four print heads 12a-12d and may be moved in reciprocation in the main scanning direction B parallel to the platen 11, such as to enable scanning of the image receiving member 3 in the main scanning direction B. Only four print heads 12a-12d are depicted for demonstrating the invention. In practice an arbitrary number of print heads may be employed. In any case, at least one print head 12a-12d per color of marking material is placed on the scanning print carriage 13. For example, for a black-and-white printer, at least one print head 12a-12d, usually containing black marking material is present. Alternatively, a black-and-white printer may comprise a white marking material, which is to be applied on a black image-receiving member 3. For a full-color printer, containing multiple colors, at least one print head 12a-12d for each of the colors, usually black, cyan, magenta and yellow is present. Often, in a full-color printer, black marking material is used more frequently in comparison to differently colored marking material. Therefore, more print heads 12a-12d containing black marking material may be provided on the scanning print carriage 13 compared to print heads 12a-12d containing marking material in any of the other colors. Alternatively, the print head 12a-12d containing black marking material may be larger than any of the print heads 12a-12d, containing a differently colored marking material.
(18) The carriage 13 is guided by guiding means 14, 15. These guiding means 14, 15 may be rods as depicted in FIG. 1B. The rods may be driven by suitable driving means (not shown). Alternatively, the carriage 13 may be guided by other guiding means, such as an arm being able to move the carriage 13. Another alternative is to move the image receiving material 3 in the main scanning direction B.
(19) Each print head 12a-12d comprises an orifice surface 16 having at least one orifice 17, in fluid communication with a pressure chamber containing fluid marking material provided in the print head 12a-12d. On the orifice surface 16, a number of orifices 17 is arranged in a single linear array parallel to the sub-scanning direction A. Eight orifices 17 per print head 12a-12d are depicted in FIG. 1B, however obviously in a practical embodiment several hundreds of orifices 17 may be provided per print head 12a-12d, optionally arranged in multiple arrays. As depicted in FIG. 1B, the respective print heads 12a-12d are placed parallel to each other such that corresponding orifices 17 of the respective print heads 12a-12d are positioned in-line in the main scanning direction B. This means that a line of image dots in the main scanning direction B may be formed by selectively activating up to four orifices 17, each of them being part of a different print head 12a-12d. This parallel positioning of the print heads 12a-12d with corresponding in-line placement of the orifices 17 is advantageous to increase productivity and/or improve print quality. Alternatively multiple print heads 12a-12d may be placed on the print carriage adjacent to each other such that the orifices 17 of the respective print heads 12a-12d are positioned in a staggered configuration instead of in-line. For instance, this may be done to increase the print resolution or to enlarge the effective print area, which may be addressed in a single scan in the main scanning direction. The image dots are formed by ejecting droplets of marking material from the orifices 17.
(20) Upon ejection of the marking material, some marking material may be spilled and stay on the orifice surface 16 of the print head 12a-12d. The ink present on the orifice surface 16, may negatively influence the ejection of droplets and the placement of these droplets on the image receiving member 3. Therefore, it may be advantageous to remove excess of ink from the orifice surface 16. The excess of ink may be removed for example by wiping with a wiper and/or by application of a suitable anti-wetting property of the surface, e.g. provided by a coating.
(21) FIG. 2 illustrates a media roll holder assembly 20 according to the present invention. The media roll holder assembly 20 rotatably secures the roll R1 during printing, such that the roll R1 retains its operative position on the support 25. The roll R1 is preferably a roll support R1 around which print media is wound or a roll support core R1 arranged for being provided into and supporting a cylinder core around which the medium is wound. During printing the web media is unspooled from the roll R1 along the transport path into the printing system 1 for printing on said media. The roll R1 during printing is held in its operative position due to a holding element 23 mounted on a pivotable arm 21. The pivotable arm 21 curves around the roll R1 in such a manner that a lifting force in the direction of the transport path results in a reaction holding force urging the holding element 23 in a first angular direction AD. The pivoting arm 21 is then driven in the first pivoting direction PD1. As in this direction PD1, the holding element 23 is driven closer to the rotation axis of the roll R1, the holding element 23 is forced onto the roll R1. As such, the holding element 23 rotatably secures the roll R1 while printing. A well defined position of the roll R1 during printing allows for accurate stepping or moving of the media, thereby increasing the print quality.
(22) In FIG. 2, the holding element 23 of the media roll holder assembly 20 is in its holding position HLD on the periphery of the roll R1 in its operative position during printing. There the holding element 23 contacts the roll R1 at the contact point P. The pivotable arm 21 is arranged to pivot the holding element 23 between the holding position HLD in FIG. 2 and an open position which will be discussed further on with respect to FIG. 3. The support 25 in FIG. 2 comprises a pair of support wheels or rollers 25A, 25B, which are positioned to allow the roll R1 to rotate around its rotation axis RA. The support wheels 25A, 25B are preferably rotatable. Their positions may be adjustable in correspondence to a diameter of the roll support R1, though generally a single roll support diameter is applied. The media roll holder assembly 20 is positioned laterally to the side of the web media on the roll support R1, such that it engages the roll support R1 in regions not covered by print media. In one embodiment, one or more support wheels 25A, 25B comprise an actuator for driving a rotation of the roll R1. In a preferred embodiment, the rotation of the roll R1 is actuated via a separate actuating gear wheel which engages a corresponding gear at the end of the roll R1. In FIG. 2, the support wheels 25A, 25B and the holding element 23 are positioned concentrically around the rotation axis RA to rotatably secure the roll R1 in its operative position. This positioning is not mirror symmetric with respect to a central plane through the rotation axis of the roll, since the angle between the left support wheel 25A and the holding element 23 is smaller than the angle between the right support wheel 25A and the holding element 23.
(23) FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the central plane CP extending in the feeding direction 30 parallel to the transport path. The central plane CP further extends to the rotation axis RA. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the feeding direction 30 is directed vertically upwards. The holding element 23 is positioned angularly offset or spaced apart from the central plane CP, specifically at the first angle . The first angle in FIG. 2 is indicated an angle between the central plane CP and a holding plane HP extending through the rotation axis RA and the contact point P. It will be appreciated that the first angle is a non-zero angle, preferably relatively small, e,g, less than 30, specifically less than 10. On one side of the holding plane HP, the pivot axis angular is indicated. The pivot axis is positioned substantially on the second side (right side in FIG. 2) of the central CP. This due to the fact that the pivoting arm 21 extends from the pivot axis PA in the first angular direction AD to the holding element 23 in the holding position HLD. The pivoting arm 21 extends then over the second angle , which is in FIG. 2 is over 180 to position the pivot axis PA inside the pivot axis angular . In the preferred embodiment in FIG. 2, the second angle angularly positions the pivot axis between the central plane CP and the holding plane HP. In FIG. 2, a pivoting plane PP extending through the rotation axis RA and the pivot axis PA is indicated to illustrate the intermediate position of the pivot axis PA between the central plane CP and the holding plane HP.
(24) FIG. 2 further illustrates the holding element 23 which in FIG. 2 is formed by a holding wheel or roller 23. The holding element 23 is provided rotatable or moveable on the pivotable arm 21 to allow for frictionless movement of the holding element 23 over the roll support R1. The pivotable arm 21 is arranged to pivot around its pivot axis PA, which is angularly positioned in between the support wheels 25A, 25B. The pivot axis PA as well as the support 25 is positioned on the bottom side of the roll support R1. The up direction herein is defined as the feeding direction 30 of the transport path from the media roll holder assembly 20 to the printing system 1. The pivotable arm 21 extends from the pivot axis PA on the bottom side of the roll R1 around the roll R1 over the highest or top point TP of the roll R1 to the contact point P where the holding element 23 engages the roll R1. The pivotable arm 21 in FIG. 2 is curved as a C-shape, which extends over more than a semicircle around the rotation axis RA. The pivotable arm 21 curves around the rotation axis RA over the second angle , which has a value of more than 180 and less than 270. In FIG. 2, the second angle angularly positions the holding element at a little over 180 from the pivot axis PA. The position of the pivot axis PA and/or the pivotable arm 21 is shaped, such that the pivotable arm 21 is arranged to pivot in a first pivoting direction PD1 to decrease the distance between the holding element 23 and the roll R1, specifically its periphery or rotation axis RA. Pivoting the pivoting arm 21 in the first pivoting direction PD1 urges the holding element 21 onto the roll R1, thereby pressing or clamping the roll R1 onto the support wheels 25A, 25B.
(25) A stop element 24 is provided to restrict the pivoting movement of the pivotable 21 in the first pivoting direction PD1. Thereby, the stop element 24 defines the angular position of the holding element 23 on the roll support R1. The stop element 24 ensures that the holding element 23 secures the roll support R1 in its operative position without exerting excess force. In this manner additional friction on the roll R1 is prevented, allowing for an accurately controlled stepping motion of the roll R1.
(26) To facilitate easy loading of the roll support R1 into the media roll holder assembly 20, an urging element 26 is provided. The urging element 26, which may be spring 26, is connected at one end to the fixed frame FF of the printing system 1 and at the other end to an urging arm 22 connected to the pivotable arm 21. The pivotable arm 21 and the urging arm 22 are preferably integrally formed, but are positioned at opposite sides with respect to the pivot axis PA. The spring or piston 26 ensures the holding element 23 remains in the holding position HLD in absence of a lifting force. When loading a new roll support R1, the urging element automatically drives the pivotable arm 21 in the first pivoting direction PD1 to position the holding element 23 in its holding position HLD, as shown in FIG. 2. As such, the loading of a new roll support R1 may be performed in a single motion by an operator or loading device, thereby improving the overall workflow and productivity of the printing system 1. It will be appreciated that the urging force may be relatively small, as any lifting force on the roll R1 automatically results in an additional reactive holding force. The stop element 24 prevents the holding element 23 from being pressed to hard onto the roll R1. This reduces the angular friction on the roll R1 resulting in more accurate control of the rotation of the roll R1, and in consequence a higher print quality.
(27) FIG. 3 illustrates the media roll holder assembly 20 with the holding element 23 in its open position to facilitate the loading of a new roll R1 onto the support 25. With respect to FIG. 2, the pivotable arm 21 has pivoted around its pivot axis PA in the second pivoting direction PD2 away from the stop element 24. Thereby, the holding element 23 is pivoted away from the roll R1 to allow loading or unloading of a roll R1. In FIG. 3, the support wheels 25A, 25B and the holding element 23 are no longer positioned concentrically around the rotation axis RA, as the pivotable arm 21 positions the holding element 23 away from the roll R1. In a preferred embodiment, the media roll holder assembly 20 comprises an actuator such as a handle or switch to aid the operator in moving the holding element 23 to its open position against the force of the urging element 26.
(28) FIG. 4 illustrates the workings of the media roll holder assembly 20 by depicting relevant the forces acting on the media roll holder assembly 20. During printing, the medium on the roll R1 is unspooled along the transport path. Pulling forces on the medium exert a lifting force F.sub.L on the roll R1. The lifting force F.sub.L is directed in the feeding direction 30 of the transport path, which in FIG. 4 is the vertically upward direction. While in FIG. 4, the central plane CP is defined by the pivot axis PA and the rotation axis RA is aligned in the transport direction, a non-aligned configuration may also be applied. The lifting force L.sub.F on the roll R1 induces a reaction force F.sub.R from the holding element 23 on the roll R1 at the contact point P. This reaction force F.sub.R is directed radially with respect to the rotation axis RA, i.e. from the contact point P to the rotation axis RA. In consequence of the reaction force F.sub.R the holding element 23 experiences a holding force with a component F.sub.H in the first angular direction AD. This angular holding force F.sub.H urges the holding element 23 in the first pivoting direction PD1 (to the left in FIG. 4). The first pivoting direction PD1 drives the holding element 23 closer to the rotation axis of the roll R1, thus urging the holding element 23 onto the roll R1. The holding element 23 as such keeps the roll R1 secured on the support 25 due to the curvature of the pivotable arm 21 which curves from the pivot axis PA below the support 25 around the roll R1 over a second angle larger than a semicircle. The pivotable arm 21 experiences a force in the first pivoting direction PD1 due to its attachment to the holding element 23 while the holding element 23 is urged in the first angular direction by the holding force F.sub.H. In reaction, the stop element 24 exerts a stop force F.sub.S on the pivotable arm 21 to counter the holding force F.sub.H. Thereby, the position of the holding element 23 is static while still being arranged to exert the holding force F.sub.H on the roll R1 in consequence of a lifting force F.sub.L. Thereby, a structurally simple holding mechanism 20 for rolls in web-based printers 1 is provided, which mechanism 20 is able to withstand large forces due to its force-balanced holding configuration.
(29) FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of an assembly 120 according to the present invention. The assembly in FIG. 5 is configured similar to that in FIGS. 2 to 4 with the exception of the pivotable arm 121. A first section of the pivotable arm 121 extends from the pivot axis PA along a first side of the central plane CP to a first point, formed in FIG. 5 by the bend or curve in the pivotable arm 121. The first point is preferably position beyond the periphery of the roll R1. A second section of the pivotable arm 121 extends from the bend through the central plane CP. The section portion extends to the second side of the central plane to position the holding element 123 angularly offset from the central plane CP. As described above, the roll R1 is clamped when a lifting force is exerted on the roll R1, as the holding element 123 is then urged in the first angular direction AD. The first and section sections are configured such that a pivoting of the arm 121 in the first pivoting direction drives the holding element 123 onto the roll R1.
(30) FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of an assembly 220 according to the present invention, wherein the pivotable arm 223 extend from the pivot axis PA on one side of the central plane PA, through the central plane PA, to the other side of the central plane PA. The central plane PA extends in the feeding direction 30 through the rotation axis of the roll R1. The arm 221 positions the holding element 223 angularly displaced from the central plane PA on the other side of the central PA. Again the arm 221 is positioned and shaped such that pivoting in the first pivoting direction PD1 drives the holding element 221 against the roll R1. The holding element 223 in FIG. 6 is configured with a low friction or substantially frictionless contact surface which allows the roll R1 to slide along it without little to none resistance or friction.
(31) From the first point, the and the rotation axis RA of the roll R1 in the operative position define a central plane CP, such that the pivotable arm 221 extends from the pivot axis PA along a first side with respect to the central plane CP, through the central plane CP to a second side with respect to the central plane CP, such that the pivotable arm 221 positions the holding element 223 at the periphery of the roll R1 in the holding position HLD
(32) FIG. 7 illustrates an even further embodiment of an assembly 320 according to the present invention. In FIG. 7, the pivot axis PA is positioned on or is aligned with the rotation axis RA of the roll R1, which is within the angular range . The angular range is illustrated by the dotted area and extends radially outward from the rotation axis RA. As in the other embodiments, the borders or edges of the angular range are thus defined or formed by the central plane CP and the holding plane HP, which extend radially from their intersection at the rotation axis RA. The angular range is positioned on the other side of the holding plane HP as the holding angle . The holding angle is the small angle extending from and the central plane CP to the holding plane HP, or from the top point TP to the contact point P, in the angular direction AD. Likewise, the angular range extends from the holding plane HP to the central CP in the angular direction AD.
(33) The embodiment in FIG. 7 results in a compact construction. In FIG. 7, the pivot arm 321 is optimally positioned for generating the holding force F.sub.H, as the pivot arm 321 extends radially. The pivot arm 321 and the holding plane HP are then aligned, optimizing the amount of holding force F.sub.H generated in the angular direction AD.
(34) Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. In particular, features presented and described in separate dependent claims may be applied in combination and any advantageous combinations of such claims are herewith disclosed.
(35) Further, it is contemplated that structural elements may be generated by application of three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques. Therefore, any reference to a structural element is intended to encompass any computer executable instructions that instruct a computer to generate such a structural element by three-dimensional printing techniques or similar computer controlled manufacturing techniques. Furthermore, such a reference to a structural element encompasses a computer readable medium carrying such computer executable instructions.
(36) Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. The terms a or an, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly.
(37) The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
