System And Method For Portable Restroom Structure Assembly

Abstract

A portable toilet assembly is disclosed. The portable toilet assembly may include a plurality of enclosure walls. The enclosure walls are connected at respective edges of the enclosure walls. A connection member is disclosed to engage the edges of the enclosure walls to connect to the respective walls.

Claims

1. A portable restroom assembly, comprising: a first enclosure wall having from a first edge; a second enclosure wall having from a second edge; and a connection member having a main wall extending from a first end to a second end, including: a first wall extending from the main wall; a second wall extending from the main wall; and a first capture region between the first wall and the second wall; wherein both the first capture region is configured to capture the first edge and the second edge; wherein the connection member is configured to connect the first enclosure wall and the second enclosure wall at the respective first edge and second edge.

2. The portable restroom assembly of claim 1, wherein the main wall, the first wall, and the second wall are formed as one member; wherein at least one of the first wall or the second wall includes a curved portion.

3. The portable restroom assembly of claim 2, wherein the curved portion is configured to position a first terminal edge of the first wall a relaxed distance from a second terminal edge of the second wall.

4. The portable restroom assembly of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first terminal edge or the second terminal edge is configured to be urged towards the other of the first terminal edge or the second terminal edge is when connecting the first edge and the second edge.

5. The portable restroom assembly of claim 3, wherein an installed distance is greater than the relaxed distance between the first terminal edge and the second terminal edge.

6. The portable restroom assembly of claim 3, wherein at least the curved portion is resiliently flexible.

7. The portable restroom assembly of claim 1, wherein the connection member further includes: a third wall and a fourth wall spaced apart from the main wall; and a second capture region between the main wall and the respective third wall and the fourth wall.

8. The portable restroom assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first wall or the second wall extends at an acute angle relative to at least a portion of the main wall.

9. The portable restroom assembly of claim 1, wherein the connection member is configured to slide along the first edge and second edge.

10. A portable restroom assembly, comprising: a first enclosure wall having a first edge; a second enclosure wall having a second edge; and a connection member extending from a first end to a second end, including: a first wall and a second wall extending in a first direction relative to a main wall; a third wall and a fourth wall extending in a second direction relative to the main wall that is different than the first and second wall; a first capture region between the first wall and the second wall; a second capture region between the main wall and the respective third wall and the fourth wall; wherein both the first capture region and the second capture region are configured to capture at least selected portions of the first edge and the second edge; wherein the connection member is configured to connect the first enclosure wall and the second enclosure wall at the respective first edge and second edge.

11. The portable restroom assembly of claim 10, wherein the main wall, the first wall, and the second wall are formed as one member; wherein at least one of the first wall or the second wall includes a curved portion.

12. The portable restroom assembly of claim 11, wherein the curved portion is configured to position a first terminal edge of the first wall a relaxed distance from a second terminal edge of the second wall.

13. The portable restroom assembly of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first terminal edge or the second terminal edge is configured to be urged towards the other of the first terminal edge or the second terminal edge is when connecting the first edge and the second edge.

14. The portable restroom assembly of claim 10, wherein the third wall and the fourth wall extend out from a central post member and together form a T-shaped member.

15. The portable restroom assembly of claim 10, wherein the third wall and the fourth wall include a respective first end and a second end; wherein the first end contacts a second captured portion of the first edge and the second end contacts a second captured portion of the second edge.

16. A method of providing a portable restroom assembly, comprising: providing a first enclosure wall having from a first edge; providing a second enclosure wall having from a second edge; and providing a connection member having a main wall extending from a first end to a second end, wherein providing the connection member further includes providing a first wall extending from the main wall and a second wall extending from the main wall so that a first capture region is defined between the first wall and the second wall; and configuring the first capture region to capture the first edge and the second edge to connect the first enclosure wall and the second enclosure wall at the respective first edge and second edge.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: providing the main wall, the first wall, and the second wall formed as one member and at least one of the first wall or the second wall includes a curved portion.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: configuring the curved portion to position a first terminal edge of the first wall a relaxed distance from a second terminal edge of the second wall.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: configuring the connection member so that at least one of the first terminal edge or the second terminal edge is urged towards the other of the first terminal edge or the second terminal edge when connecting the first edge and the second edge.

20. A portable restroom assembly, comprising: a connection member extending from a first end to a second end, including: a first wall and a second wall extending in a first direction relative to a main wall; and a first capture region between the first wall and the second wall; wherein the first capture region is configured to capture at least respective portions of a first edge of a first enclosure wall and a second edge of a second enclosure wall; wherein the connection member is configured to connect the first enclosure wall and the second enclosure wall at the respective first edge and second edge.

21. The portable restroom assembly of claim 20, further comprising: a third wall and a fourth wall extending relative to the main wall; and a second capture region between the main wall and the respective third wall and the fourth wall.

22. The portable restroom assembly of claim 21, further comprising: the first enclosure wall having the first edge; and the second enclosure wall having the second edge.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an environmental view of an assembled portable restroom;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of a portable restroom;

[0013] FIG. 3A is a detailed top view of a corner of the portal restroom of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3B is a cross section view of a corner of the assembled portal restroom along lie 3B-3B of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a corner of the portable restroom of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view of a corner of a portable restroom;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective partial exploded view of a corner of the portable restroom;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a connecting member;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a top end view of the connecting member of FIG. 7;

[0020] FIG. 9A is a partial detail view of a corner of a portable restroom;

[0021] FIG. 9B is a detailed view of a portion of a corner of a portable restroom; and

[0022] FIG. 10 is an assembly process view of the portable restroom, according to various embodiments.

[0023] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a portable restroom or toilet assembly 10 that may also be referred to as a portable restroom or toilet enclosure. The portable restroom enclosure 10 may include various shapes or constructions and may include side walls 12 (one illustrated in FIG. 1 and two illustrated in FIG. 2), a front wall 14, and a rear wall 16 (FIG. 2). The side walls 12 may be substantially similar in shape, but in various embodiments mirror configurations of each other. The front wall 14 and rear wall may additionally be substantially similar in shape, but distinct from the side walls 12.

[0026] The portable restroom enclosure 10 may be formed of a resilient polymer material that may be formed into sheets or other suitable shapes. The material from which the enclosure 10 may be formed may be selected of one or more appropriate commercially available materials as is understood by one skilled in the art. The front wall 14 may be provided with an opening 18 for a door 20. The door 20 may be attached with hinges to the front wall 14 to selectively cover the opening 18 to provide access to the interior of the portable restroom enclosure 10 and privacy during use.

[0027] The interior of the portable restroom enclosure 10 may include a toilet 22 and a holding tank 23 for waste. The enclosure 10 may further enclose or include a product holder 24 (e.g., toilet paper) or a vent stack 25. The portable restroom enclosure 10 is additionally provided with a base or floor panel 26, which may be formed of the same material as the walls, or another suitable material. The floor panel 26 includes a base 28 upon which the walls may be vertically arranged to form the interior of the portable restroom enclosure 10. The floor panel may have a lip 30 extending up from the base 28 and along an outer perimeter 32, and the walls may be affixed to the lip 28 of the floor panel 26 by passing fasteners such as screws or bolts through a series of through holes or bores 34 located in the bottom portion of the walls and the lip 28. The floor panel 26 may be configured to rest upon or be affixed to a pair of skids 36. The skids 36 may hold the enclosure 10 off of a surface, serve to ease movement of the portable restroom enclosure 10 by providing a low friction surface upon which the portable restroom enclosure 10 can slide along the ground, and/or protecting the floor panel 26 from an environment.

[0028] The portable restroom enclosure 10 is further equipped with a roof panel 38 configured to cover the portable restroom enclosure 10. The roof panel 38 may also have a lip 40 extending out along an outer perimeter 42 and may be affixed to the top of the portable restroom enclosure 10 by utilizing a series of through holes 34 and fasteners.

[0029] The various components of the portable restroom enclosure 10 may be assembled in various manners. The portable restroom enclosure 10 may include the plurality of walls, as noted above, that are assembled with one or more fasteners. In various embodiments, the various walls or components may be provided separately and assembled at a selected site for use of the portable restroom enclosure 10. In various embodiments, the components of the portable restroom enclosure 10 may be provided to a selected vendor or user and assembled thereat. The assembled portable restroom enclosure 10 may then be provided for use. Regardless, in various embodiments, the components of the portable restroom enclosure 10 may be formed separately and then assembled prior to use.

[0030] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the portable restroom enclosure 10 may be provided with the walls extending from (e.g., vertically) from the floor 26. When extending vertically, the floor 26 may be near or in contact with a surface, such as a ground surface. The walls may then extend vertically (e.g., up) from the floor 26. The various walls may be assembled to one another and the floor and roof in any appropriate direction or configuration.

[0031] As discussed herein, each of the walls of the portable restroom enclosure 10 may have at least one long edge. The long edge may extend, when assembled, from the floor 26 to the roof 38. The portable restroom enclosure 10 may be square or rectangle in shape, thus two long edges of two walls may be assembled relative to one another when the portable restroom enclosure 10 is assembled. The discussion herein to a connection of two long edges of two walls will be understood to relate or be similar or identical to an edge-to-edge connection of any other two walls of the portable restroom enclosure 10.

[0032] A first wall which may be the side wall 12 may be connected to a second wall which may be the front wall 14. When vertically arranged, the walls of the portable restroom enclosure 10 meet along respective long edges of each respective wall. The side wall 12 includes the long edge 44 and the front wall 14 includes the long edge 45. A discussed further herein, a connecting member 50 may be used to connected the side wall 12 and the front wall 14 near or adjacent the long edges 44, 45. While the following discussion exemplary refers to these portions, one skilled in the art will understand that any of the of walls will or may include respective long edges and a connecting member may be used to connect the respective walls according to exemplary discussion of the connection of the front wall 14 and the side wall 12.

[0033] The front wall has a first connecting region or edge 46 extending from the long edge 44 and generally co-extensive in length therewith. The side wall 12 has a second connecting region or edge 48 extending from the long edge 44 and generally co-extensive in length therewith. The first edge 46 and second edge 48 may be fastened or connected together by the connecting member 50. The connecting member 50 may connect at least two of the walls, such as the front wall 14 and side wall 12 when the first edge 46 and second edge 48 are near each other, as discussed herein and illustrated in the figures.

[0034] When connected, the side wall 12 and the front wall 14 are assembled together and the connection member may extend the length of the long edge 44. As discussed herein, the connecting member 50 may engage the first edge 46 and the second edge 48. The connecting member 50 may be formed of one piece which extends the full length or may be comprised of any number of elongated pieces that may or may not contact each other along the first edge 46 and the second edge 48.

[0035] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and additional reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 the assembly will be described in greater detail. In FIGS. 1 and 2 an entire portable restroom assembly is illustrated. In FIGS. 3A-4 and assembled corner is illustrated, in FIGS. 5-6 the connecting member is illustrated exploded from the walls and in FIGS. 7-8 the connecting member is illustrated alone. The connecting member 50 may be formed of the same material as the portable restroom enclosure 10 or another acceptable material, such as an engineered polymer or polyolefin. Generally, the connecting member 50 is formed of a material with appropriate material properties to hold the wall 12 and the front wall 14 together during use of the portable restroom 10.

[0036] The connecting member 50 includes a main wall or body portion 52 which may be an appropriate configuration, such as substantially flat for at least a portion 52a thereof (e.g., about 1 millimeter (mm) to about 55 mm) and forms a longitudinal plane along the length of the connecting member 50. The main wall 52, however, may also pr alternatively be curved and/or include curved portions. A first wall 54 may be formed with or is contiguous with the main wall 52. The first wall 54 first extends by a first or curved portion 55 towards a central plane 56 and a second or straight portion 57 that extends along a length. The curved portion 55 has an arc length and a radius such that the curved portion 55 and the straight portion 57 form a first acute angle 58 relative to at least a portion, such as the flat portion 52a, of the main wall 52. Also, the straight portion 57 may form an acute angle 59 with the central axis 56. The straight portion 57 may be substantially straight or at least extend straight over a portion of the straight portion 57, such as about 1 mm to about 50 mm.

[0037] Similar to the first wall portion 54 there may be a second wall portion 60. The second wall portion may include various portions or regions that are substantially similar to or identical to the portions of the first wall 54. Accordingly, the second wall 60 may include a first curved portion 61 that extends from the main wall 52. The second wall portion 60 may further include a second or straight portion 62 that extends from the curved portion 61. The curved portion 61 and the straight portion 62 allow the straight portion 62 to generally form or define an acute angle 63 relative to the main wall 52. Further, the straight portion 62 may define an acute angle 64 relative to the central axis 56. The second wall 60, therefore, may include portions substantially similar to the first wall 54.

[0038] Taken together, the first wall 54 and second wall 60 form a generally at least partially enclosed region that may be where the first wall 54 terminates in a first end 65 and the second wall 60 terminates at a second end 66 of. A distance 67 may be defined between the two ends 65, 66. The distance 67 may be a first or relaxed distance between the two ends 65, 66, when the connecting member 50 is disassembled from the first edge 46 and the second edge 48. The distance 67 may be about 10 mm to about 60 mm, or any appropriate distance. The distance 67 may depend on the size of the first edge 46 and the second edge 48, the size of the portable restroom 10, the resilience of the material form which the member is made, or other appropriate considerations.

[0039] The connection member 50 further includes a central post or wall 68 which extends a distance 69 from the main wall 52 towards the terminal ends 65, 66. A third wall 70 extends away from the central post 68 and is generally parallel to the main wall 52. A fourth wall 72 extends away from the central post 68 in the opposite direction of the third wall 70 and is also generally parallel to the main wall 52. Observed collectively, the central post 68, the third wall 70, and the fourth wall 72 form a generally T-shaped region 74. Each of the walls 70, 72 may extend from the post 68 to a respective terminal end 71, 73 a selected distance. The distance may be an appropriate distance that may relate to the member 50.

[0040] The first terminal end 71 may extend toward the main wall 52. Therefore, the terminal end 71 may also form or define an angle 71a relative to the third wall 70. Similarly, the end 73 may extend toward the wall 52 and define the angle 73a relative to the fourth wall 72. The two ends 71, 73 may, therefore, define respective capture regions. A first capture region 76 is formed between the first wall 54 and the third wall 70. A second capture region 78 is formed between the second wall 60 and the fourth wall 72. The first and second capture regions 76, 78 may capture portions of the respective edges 46, 48 as discussed further herein.

[0041] Further, the distance 69 of the post 68 may also include a relaxed or non-engaged dimension, such as when the member 50 is not engaging the edges. Further the respective ends 71, 73 may have respective distances 71b, 73b relative to an internal surface 52b of the member 50. The distances 71b, 73b may also be relaxed (or minimal) distances when the member 50 is not engaging the respective edges 44, 45.

[0042] As discussed herein, the member 50 may engage the edges 46, 48 of the walls 12, 14 at the relaxed dimensions or distances, as discussed above, which may include those that are formed in the member 50 during the manufacturing. The member 50 may be formed of a material that allows it to elastically bend or deform to engage the edges 46, 48. The distances may be extended and/or collapse during installation. The member 50 may then resiliently deform or return to the relaxed dimension to allow for a compression to be formed onto the edges 46, 48 as discussed further herein and illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0043] The edge 46 may be a capture edge or capture region that may also be referred to as a connecting edge and may be engaged by the connecting member 50, as discussed further herein. The connecting edge 46 may extend to be formed within an interior that is defined by an outer dimension that may be enclosed by a plane or line 96 that extends from the front wall 14 and an outer line or dimension 98 that extends from the side wall 12. The connecting edge 46, however, may have a first (e.g., curved) portion or region 100 that may extend at an angle or be curved to extend away from a first surface 102 of the front wall 14. A second region 106 may extend from the first region 100. The second region 106 may be of an appropriate shape, such as substantially flat or extend along a flat surface or portion for selected distance 108.

[0044] The connecting edge 46 may further include a second curved portion 112 that has a selected arc length or radius. The connecting edge 46 may further include an exterior edge or wall 114. Each of the portions 100, 106, 112, 114 may be formed as a single member with the connecting edge 46 that is formed with the wall 14. Further, the various portions may be connected together, according to various embodiments, such as with adhesives, connectors (e.g., rivets), or welding. Nevertheless, the various portions 100, 106, 112, 114 allow for the connecting edge 46 to be formed with the front wall 14 to be engaged by the connecting member 50, as discussed herein.

[0045] The connecting edge 48 of the side wall 12 may include portions similar to those of the first connecting region or edge 46. Therefore, they will be described only briefly here and may be understood to be substantially mirror those of the first connecting edge 46. The connecting edge 48 may include a first curved portion 120 that extends from a wall or surface 122 of the side wall edge 44. The connecting edge 48 may further include a substantially straight or flat portion 126 that may extend a distance 128. A curved portion 132 may be formed to extend from the flat portion 126. Further, a terminal or exterior portion 136 may extend from the curved portion 132.

[0046] The two edges 46, 48 may be positioned adjacent or in contact with one another, as illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 9. The connecting edges 46, 48 when positioned near each other, such as in an assembled form, may generally define a protrusion 150 that extends from the respective surfaces 102, 122. The protrusion 150 may be engaged by the connecting member 50. The protrusion 150 of the connecting edges 46, 48 may be maintained within the exterior dimensions 96, 98 of the respective side wall 12 and front wall 14. The protrusion of the connecting edges 46, 48, however, may have any appropriate dimension.

[0047] According to various embodiments, the connecting edges 46, 48 may form the protrusion 150 and may have various dimensions, as illustrated in FIG. 9B. For example, the two curved regions 100, 120 may define an exterior dimension 154. The flat or straight portions 106, 126 may define variable exterior dimensions between the surfaces 102, 122 and the outer portions 114, 136. In various embodiments, the flat portions 106, 126 may have a minimum dimension 156 and a maximum dimension 158 generally at or defined by the second curved portions 112, 132. Therefore, the projection 150 as defined by the two edges 46, 48 may allow for the two walls 12, 14 to form the connection or projection portion 150 to be engaged by the connecting member 50. The various portions of the respective edges 46, 48 may allow for a gap or space 160 between terminal ends 162 and 164 of the respective end portions 114, 136. The gap 160 may have an appropriate dimension 168. The dimension 168 may be a dimension that allows for passage of the post 68 as the connecting member 50 is assembled, such as slid down or over, the projection 150 as illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0048] The connecting member 50 may be assembled to the projection 150, as defined by the two connection edges 46, 48, in an appropriate manner. According to various embodiments, for example, the connection member 50 may be expanded or stretched and moved substantially in the direction of arrow 170 as illustrated in FIG. 6. The two external or terminal ends or edges 65, 66 may generally spread apart to pass over the maximum dimension 158 of the projection 150. In various embodiments, however, the connecting member 50 may be slid over the projection 150, as illustrated in FIG. 10 generally the direction of arrow 190.

[0049] With continued reference to FIG. 10, the member 50 may be initially engaged at a top edge or portion 200 of the projection 150. The side walls 54, 60 may be expanded such that the terminal ends 65, 66 move away from the central axis 56 of the member 50. For example, the terminal end 65 may generally move in the direction of arrow 204 and the terminal end 66 may move in the direction of arrow 208. Therefore, the dimension 67 may be increased to allow for the member 50 to be at least initially positioned onto the projection 150. The member 50 may then be passed generally in the direction of arrow 190 over the projection 150. In various embodiments, the member 50 may be slid, such as by an assembler (e.g., person or machine) over the projection 150 generally in the direction of arrow 190.

[0050] The resilient nature of the member 50 may allow for a compressive force to be applied at compressed regions 193, 195 at or near the edge or surfaces, such at least the surfaces 100, 120 of the respective edges 46, 48. The force is generated by at least one of the dimensions, nature, and composition of the member 50, including at least one of its shape, construction, dimensions, or materials relative to the walls 12, 14 and the respective and combined dimensions, nature, and composition thereof. Thus, the member 50 may urge or cause a force applied to the respective edges 46, 48 as the member 50 resiliently returns or attempts to return to the relaxed dimension.

[0051] The force may be formed at least in part because the dimension 154 is greater than the dimension 67. The force (e.g., compressive force) applied by the member 50 may assist in holding or positioning the member 50 relative to the side wall 12 and the front wall 14 and holding the side wall 12 and the front wall 14 relative to one another in the assembled portable restroom. In various embodiments, the member 50 alone and be the only member or portion that connects and holds the various walls, such as the side wall 12 and the front wall 14 relative to one another for use of the portable restroom 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the force may be applied directly between the connecting member 50 and the respective walls 12, 14.

[0052] According to various embodiments, the wall 70, 72, such as including the terminal ends 71, 73 may also engage the respective edges 46, 48. According to various embodiments, the post 68 and walls 70, 72 may at least resist a movement of the connecting member 50 once in the assembled position. While the compressive force of the external walls 54, 60 may hold the side wall 12 relative to the front wall 14 the post and wall portion 68, 70, 72 may resist movement of the connecting member 50.

[0053] For example, the external wall of portions 114, 136 may have a respective thickness or dimension 114a, 136a that are equal to or less than the respective dimension 71b, 73b between the terminal ends 71, 73 and the wall surface 52B. Therefore, the walls 70, 72 may be bent generally in the direction of arrow 212, 214, respectively, as the connecting member 50 is slid over the projection 150, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The walls 70, 72 may attempt to resiliently return to the relaxed dimension 71b, 73b such as due to construction or materials forming thereof. The resilient return may thereby apply a force to the respective wall portions 114, 136, such as an internal surface 114b, 136b thereof.

[0054] Thus, the connecting member 50 may both hold the respective walls, such as the side wall 12 and the front wall 14 while also resisting movement once installed. The connecting member 50 allows the portable restroom 10 to be assembled without forming additional bores or inserting additional connectors or fasteners, at least at the corners of the walls to assemble the walls together. The portable restroom 10 may be assembled with minimal components and with efficiency, such as after delivery thereof. Further the reduction of components allows for minimization of loss and waste. And efficient packing and delivery of the portable restroom 10 in the component format.

[0055] The portable assembly 10 may be provided as a plurality of members, such as the walls 12 and connection members 50. In various embodiments, one entire assembly 10 may be provided with all portions needed for assembly (e.g., a kit). In various embodiments, a plurality of assemblies may be provided as parts for assembly. In any various, a user (such as a supplier or manufacturer) may assembly the portable assembly with the connection member 50 as discussed above (e.g., a plurality of kits). The various portions provided separately, e.g., the sidewalls 12 separate from one another may allow for ease of storage and shipment. For example, a plurality of the portions (e.g., walls) may be laid flat on a pallet for efficient and secure transport.

[0056] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0057] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms comprises, comprising, including, and having, are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0058] When an element or layer is referred to as being on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on, directly engaged to, directly connected to, or directly coupled to another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., between versus directly between, adjacent versus directly adjacent, etc.). As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0059] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0060] Spatially relative terms, such as inner, outer, beneath, below, lower, above, upper, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as below or beneath other elements or features would then be oriented above the other elements or features. Thus, the example term below can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0061] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.