CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS

Abstract

A system for holding a plurality of containers includes an upper construct having a plurality of panels, each panel of the plurality of panels comprising a plurality of container retention features for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, and a lower construct, the lower having a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the lower construct for at least partially receiving the plurality of containers.

Claims

1. A system for holding a plurality of containers, the system comprising: an upper construct comprising a plurality of panels, each panel of the plurality of panels comprising a plurality of container retention features for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers; and a lower construct, the lower comprising a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the lower construct for at least partially receiving the plurality of containers.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the upper construct is free from attachment to the lower construct.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a first panel foldably connected to a second panel, the first panel and the second panel in at least partial face-to-face contact.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one container retention feature of the plurality of container retention features comprises a plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the respective panel of the plurality of panels.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the lower construct comprises a bottom panel, at least one side panel, at least one end panel.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the lower construct comprises a curved corner extending between the at least one side panel and the at least one end panel.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the lower construct comprises a plurality of container retention features for at least partially receiving a portion of a respective container other than the plurality of containers.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the upper construct comprises a handle extending therefrom for facilitating grasping of the system by a user.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the handle is foldably connected to the remainder of the upper construct so as to be repositionable between an upright position and an at least partially folded position.

10. A combination of blanks for forming a system for holding a plurality of containers, the combination of blanks comprising: an upper blank comprising a plurality of panels, each panel of the plurality of panels comprising a plurality of container retention features for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers; and a lower blank, the lower blank comprising a plurality of panels for extending at least partially around an interior of the lower construct formed from the blank for at least partially receiving the plurality of containers.

11. The combination of blanks of claim 10, wherein the upper blank is free from attachment to the lower blank.

12. The combination of blanks of claim 11, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a first panel foldably connected to a second panel, the first panel and the second panel for being positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact when the system is formed from the combination of blanks.

13. The combination of blanks of claim 10, wherein at least one container retention feature of the plurality of container retention features comprises a plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the respective panel of the plurality of panels.

14. The combination of blanks of claim 13, wherein the lower blank comprises a bottom panel, at least one side panel, at least one end panel.

15. The combination of blanks of claim 14, wherein the lower blank comprises a corner portion extending between the at least one side panel and the at least one end panel, the corner portion for forming a curved corner when the system is formed from the combination of blanks.

16. The combination of blanks of claim 14, wherein the lower blank comprises a plurality of container retention features for at least partially receiving a portion of a respective container other than the plurality of containers.

17. The combination of blanks of claim 14, wherein the upper blank comprises handle features for forming a handle for facilitating grasping of the system by a user when the system is formed from the combination of blanks.

18. The combination of blanks of claim 17, wherein the handle features are foldably connected to the remainder of the upper blank such that the handle is repositionable between an upright position and an at least partially folded position when the system is formed from the combination of blanks.

19. A method of forming a system for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising: obtaining an upper blank, the upper blank comprising a plurality of panels, each panel of the plurality of panels comprising a plurality of container retention features; obtaining a lower blank, the lower blank a plurality of panels; positioning the plurality of panels of the upper blank forming an upper construct such that the plurality of container retention features is positioned for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers; and positioning the plurality of panels of the lower blank extending at least partially around an interior of the lower construct for at least partially receiving the plurality of containers.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the upper blank is free from attachment to the lower blank.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the plurality of panels comprises a first panel foldably connected to a second panel, and the method comprises positioning the first panel and the second panel in at least partial face-to-face contact.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one container retention feature of the plurality of container retention features comprises a plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the respective panel of the plurality of panels.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the lower blank comprises a bottom panel, at least one side panel, at least one end panel.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the lower construct comprises a corner portion, and the method further comprises positioning the corner portion forming a curved corner of the system extending between the at least one side panel and the at least one end panel.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the lower blank comprises a plurality of container retention features for at least partially receiving a portion of a respective container other than the plurality of containers.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising positioning a handle extending from the upper construct for facilitating grasping of the system by a user.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the handle is foldably connected to the remainder of the upper construct so as to be repositionable between an upright position and an at least partially folded position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exterior surface of an upper blank for forming an upper construct according to a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of a portion of the blank of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an exterior surface of a lower blank for forming a lower construct according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of a portion of the blank of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container for use with constructs according to the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a system including an upper construct formed from the blank of FIG. 1 and a lower construct formed from the blank of FIG. 2 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the system of FIG. 4.

[0016] FIG. 6 a perspective view of the system of FIG. 4 stacked below a similar system according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the stack of systems of FIG. 6 showing portions thereof in hidden lines for clarity of illustration.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 4 further provided with a handle and being carried by a user.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an exterior surface of an upper blank for forming an upper construct according to a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a system including an upper construct formed from the blank of FIG. 9 and a lower construct formed from the blank of FIG. 2 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 10 showing an at least partially folded arrangement of the handle thereof.

[0022] Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present disclosure generally relates to carriers, packages, constructs, sleeves, cartons, or the like, for holding and displaying containers such as jars, bottles, cans, etc. The containers can be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example. The containers can be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited to, glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like; aluminum and/or other metals; or any combination thereof.

[0024] Carriers according to the present disclosure can accommodate containers of numerous different shapes. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes beverage bottles (e.g., plastic bottles) at least partially disposed within the carrier embodiments. In this specification, the terms lower, bottom, upper, top, front, and back indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected carriers.

[0025] With momentary reference to FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiments, the containers B can be bottles, e.g., plastic bottles formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or another polymer, and having upper portions that include an at least partially tapered neck portion N intersecting a flange F that at least partially supports a cap CP. The containers B can also have lower portions that at least partially define a bottom recessed portion. In other embodiments, the containers B could be beverage cans or another suitable type and size of container.

[0026] As described herein, carriers may be formed by multiple overlapping panels, end flaps, and/or other portions of blanks. Such panels, end flaps, and/or other portions of the blank can be designated in relative terms to one another, e.g., first, second, third, etc., in sequential or non-sequential reference, without departing from the disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an exterior side 101 of a blank 103 (broadly, upper blank) used to form an upper construct 105 of a carrier or carrier system 100 in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of a portion of the blank 103.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper construct 105 and carrier system 100 is sized to contain or support six containers, with three containers B being attached to a front portion of the carrier system 100 and three containers B being attached to a back portion of the carrier system 100. In some embodiments, the containers B can be PET beverage bottles for holding a volume of fluid of about 1.25 L, though the containers B can have a different configuration without departing from the disclosure. The carrier system 100 can be sized and shaped to hold more or less than six containers. The carrier system 100 can be provided together with one or more containers as a package.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2. The blank 103 has a front portion for at least partially forming a front portion of the carrier system 100 and a back portion 109 for at least partially forming a back portion of the carrier system 100.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 103 can include a plurality of panels that includes a first panel 121 foldably connected to a second panel 123 at a lateral fold line 125.

[0031] Each panel 121, 123 can have a generally similar configuration, and can include a respective plurality of container retention features 127 positioned in row and column arrangements for at least partially receiving a respective portion of a respective container B therethrough.

[0032] Each container retention feature 127, as shown, can include a respective plurality of container retention tabs 129 foldably connected to the respective panel, 121, 123 at a respective oblique fold line 131, with respective adjacent container retention tabs 129 separable from one another at a respective lateral cut 133 and a respective longitudinal cut 135.

[0033] It will be understood that the plurality of container retention tabs can at least partially fold relative to the respective panel 121, 123 to at least partially expose a respective container retention opening for at least partially receiving the respective container B.

[0034] Turning to FIG. 2, the exterior surface 201 of a blank 203 (broadly, lower blank) for forming a lower construct 205 of the carrier or carrier system 100 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is illustrated. FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of a portion of the blank 203.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the blank 203 has the longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2 and a plurality of panels for at least partially forming the construct 205 from the blank 203.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 203 can include a central panel or bottom panel 221, a first side panel 223 foldably connected to the bottom panel 221 at a lateral fold line 225, a second side panel 227 foldably connected to the bottom panel 221 at a lateral fold line 229, a first end panel 231 foldably connected to the bottom panel 221 at a longitudinal fold line 233, and a second end panel 235 foldably connected to the bottom panel 221 at a longitudinal fold line 237.

[0037] The side panel 223, as shown, can include a central portion 239 for at least partially forming a side of the lower construct 205 and a pair of corner portions 241, 243 at least partially defined by a respective plurality of lines of weakening 245 for at least partially forming corners of the lower construct 205. Similarly, the side panel 227, as shown, can include a central portion 247 for at least partially forming a side of the lower construct 205 and a pair of corner portions 249, 251 at least partially defined by respective pluralities of lines of weakening 245 for at least partially forming corners of the lower construct 205.

[0038] The blank 203 and construct 205 formed therefrom can also include a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels. As shown, the plurality of end flaps can include an attachment end flap 253 foldably connected to the corner portion 241 of the side panel 223 at a respective line of weakening of the plurality of lines of weakening 245, an attachment end flap 255 foldably connected to the corner portion 243 of the side panel 223 at a respective line of weakening of the plurality of lines of weakening 245, an attachment end flap 257 foldably connected to the corner portion 249 of the side panel 227 at a respective line of weakening of the plurality of lines of weakening 245, and an attachment end flap 259 foldably connected to the corner portion 251 of the side panel 227 at a respective line of weakening of the plurality of lines of weakening 245.

[0039] In some embodiments, the bottom panel 221 can include respective plurality of container retention features 261 positioned in row and column arrangements for at least partially receiving a respective portion of a respective container B therethrough.

[0040] Each container retention feature 261, as shown, can include a central opening 263 through the bottom panel 221 and a plurality of lines of weakening 265 radiating outwardly from the opening 263. As shown, the lines of weakening 265 could be at least partially cuts that are laterally or longitudinally arranged, though one or more of the lines of weakening 265 could have a different configuration without departing from the disclosure.

[0041] In this regard, the lines of weakening 265 can facilitate relative movement of portions of the bottom panel 221 adjacent the respective line of weakening 265, e.g., so as to facilitate folding, flexure, bending, etc. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the lines of weakening 265 can at least partially form respective container retention tabs 267 between respective lines of weakening 265 that can at least partially fold or flex relative to the bottom panel 221 to at least partially enlarge or supplement the respective opening 263 for at least partially receiving a portion of the respective container B.

[0042] Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, formation of the upper construct 105, the lower construct 205, and the system 100 is illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. As shown, the lower construct 205 is free from attachment to the upper construct 105.

[0043] In some embodiments, the panels 121, 123 of the blank 103 can be at least partially folded at the fold line 125 into at least partial face-to-face contact and positioned such that at least the cap CP and flange F of the respective containers B are at least partially received through the respective aligned container retention features 127 of the panels 121, 123.

[0044] In such an arrangement, one or more container retention tabs 129 of the respective container retention features 127 can fold at least partially upwardly relative to the respective panel 121, 123 at a respective fold line 131 to extend in a contacting and/or bracing relationship with the underside of a respective flange F of a respective container B of the plurality of containers B.

[0045] The overlapping arrangement of the panels 121, 123 can provide a strengthened, multi-ply arrangement for at least partially supporting the containers B. In some embodiments, such arrangement can provide at least partial tear resistance. In some embodiments, longitudinal free edge portions, e.g., portions proximate the longitudinal free edges, of the respective overlapped panels 121, 123 can provide convenient locations at which a user can curl his or her fingers below the lowermost panel 121, 123 to lift carry, etc., the system 100.

[0046] The lower construct 205 can be at least partially formed from the blank 203, in some embodiments, by at least partially folding the respective panels 223, 227, 231, 235 into a generally upright relationship with the bottom panel 221 at the respective fold lines 225, 229, 233, 237.

[0047] The respective corner portions 241, 243, 249, 251 of the respective side panels 223, 227 can be at least partially folded at the respective pluralities of fold lines 145 to form at least partially curved/contoured corners 269, 271, 273, 275 of the lower construct 205 that position the respective attachment end flaps 253, 255, 257, 259 in at least partial face-to-face contact with the respective end panels 231, 235. In the illustrated arrangement, the respective corners extend between a respective side panel 223, 227 and a respective end panel 233, 237 of the lower construct 205.

[0048] The respective panels of the blank 203/lower construct 205 can thus extend at least partially around an interior 207 thereof for at least partially receiving respective lower portions of the containers B for maintaining the containers B in a generally packed/abutting relationship, e.g., such that the lower portions thereof are at least partially restricted from moving apart.

[0049] With additional reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, in some embodiments in which the blank 203/lower construct 205 is provided with the container retention features 261, as shown, a system 100 (broadly, first system or upper system) can be stacked upon another system 100 (broadly, second system or lower system), e.g., such that the bottom panel 221 of the upper system 100 can be supported on upper surfaces of the caps CP of the system 100 therebelow. Such an arrangement of systems 100, in some embodiments, can be considered a pallet or portion thereof.

[0050] In such an arrangement, the caps CP of the lower system 100 can be at least partially received through the container retention features 261 in the bottom panel 221 of the upper system 100 thereabove such that the caps CP of the lower system 100 can be positioned at least partially in the recessed portions of the respective containers B associated with the upper system 100, e.g., for stability, stacking strength, to lower the vertical profile of multiple stacked systems 100, etc.

[0051] In such an arrangement, the respective container retention tabs 267 (or corresponding portions of the bottom panel 221) of the upper system 100 can at least partially fold, flex, etc. toward the interior 207 of the lower construct 205 such that the respective opening 263 of a respective container retention feature 261 can widen or be supplemented to at least partially receive respective portions of the respective containers B extending upwardly from the lower system 100.

[0052] It will be understood that the above-described arrangement of the constructs 105, 205 can be at least partially maintained via one or more applications of an adhesive such as glue. It will be understood that the system 100 and/or one or more portions thereof can have a different configuration without departing from the disclosure.

[0053] With additional reference to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the system 100 can be provided with a handle H extending therefrom that can include one or more lengths of adhesive tape or substrate configured for attachment to one or more of the containers B, and provided with a handle structure attached to such substrate and suitable for gripping by a consumer. The handle H can be configured so as to remain attached to the containers B upon at least partially bearing the weight thereof, as well as forces incidental to carrying the system 100.

[0054] Turning to FIG. 9, the exterior side 301 of a blank 303 (broadly, upper blank) used to form an upper construct 305 of a carrier or carrier system 300 in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated. The upper construct 305 and carrier system 300 is sized to contain or support six containers, with three containers B being attached to a front portion of the carrier system 300 and three containers B being attached to a back portion of the carrier system 300. The carrier system 300 can be provided together with one or more containers as a package.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 9, the blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2. The blank 303 has a front portion for at least partially forming a front portion of the carrier system 300 and a back portion 309 for at least partially forming a back portion of the carrier system 300.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the blank 103 can include a plurality of panels that includes a first panel 321 foldably connected to a second panel 323 at a lateral fold line 325.

[0057] Each panel 321, 323 can have a generally similar configuration, and can include a respective plurality of container retention features 127 positioned in a row arrangement for at least partially receiving a respective portion of a respective container B therethrough.

[0058] Each panel 321, 323 can also include a plurality of longitudinally spaced lateral fold lines 331, 333, 335 extending therealong for at least partially facilitating formation of the upper construct 305 and for at least partially defining an attachment portion 337 of the panel 321 and a respective handle portion 339 of the panel 321. In some embodiments, the attachment portion 337 of the panel 321 can be at least partially defined between the fold line 333 and a free lateral edge of the panel 321. In other embodiments, the attachment portion 337 of the panel 321 can be at least partially defined between the fold line 331 and a free lateral edge of the panel 321.

[0059] Similarly, an attachment portion 341 of the panel 323 and a respective handle portion 341 of the panel 323 can be at least partially defined. In some embodiments, the attachment portion 343 of the panel 323 can be at least partially defined between the fold line 333 and a free lateral edge of the panel 323. In other embodiments, the attachment portion 343 of the panel 323 can be at least partially defined between the fold line 331 and a free lateral edge of the panel 323.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the respective fold lines 335 can be at least partially interrupted by the respective container retention features 127. It will be understood that one or both of the panels 321, 323 can have a different configuration without departing from the disclosure.

[0061] The handle portion of each panel 321, 323, as shown, can include a respective handle opening 327 and a respective handle flap 329 foldably connected to the respective panel 321, 323 and at least partially extending into the respective handle opening 327.

[0062] Turning to FIGS. 10 and 11, formation of the system 300 will be illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. As shown, the lower construct 205 is free from attachment to the upper construct 305 of the system 300.

[0063] In some embodiments, the panels 321, 323 can be folded at the fold line 325 into at least partial face-to-face contact and can be at least partially positioned to receive respective containers B of the plurality of containers B via the container retention features 127 as described above with respect to the upper construct 105.

[0064] Prior to and/or in the course of such engagement with the containers B, the respective handle portions 339, 341 of the respective panels 321, 323 can at least partially fold relative to the remainder thereof at the respective fold line 331 and can at least partially fold into at least partial face-to-face contact to form a handle 345 of the upper construct 305 and extending from the system 300. The handle 345 is thus foldably connected to the remainder of the upper construct 305.

[0065] A lower construct 205 can also be formed from the blank 203 and engaged with the containers B in the manner described above to form the system 300. It will be understood that the above-described arrangement of the constructs 305, 205 can be at least partially maintained via one or more applications of an adhesive such as glue.

[0066] In such an arrangement, the handle 345 can present the aligned handle openings 327 and the aligned handle flaps 329 such that a user can at least partially curl his or her fingers therethrough to effect grasping or lifting of the system 300. In some embodiments, one or both of the respective handle flaps 329 can be at least partially overlapped on the respective panel 321, 323 to provide a multi-ply structure for enhanced grip comfort and/or tear resistance.

[0067] The system 300 can thus provide functionality and advantages similar to those described above with respect to the system 100, and the handle 345 can provide a convenient structure by which the system 300 can be grasped, lifted, and/or carried by a user.

[0068] The handle 345 can be repositionable between an upright position, as shown in FIG. 10, and an at least partially folded position, as shown in FIG. 11. The handle 345, as shown, can be at least partially folded at one or both of the respective fold lines 331, 333 of the panels 321, 323, can be at least partially folded toward a front end of the system 300 or a back end of the system 300 into a at least partial registration with the respective attachment portion 337, 343 thereof in a folded arrangement, e.g., such that the handle 345 is arranged with a minimized profile, e.g., so as to lie at or below the respective caps CP of the containers B. In some embodiments, the handle 345 can be tucked below the flanges F of respective containers B.

[0069] Such an arrangement can be advantageous, for example, so as to enable stacking and engagement with the container retention features 261 of a system 300 thereabove. In some embodiments, the respective fold line 335 can facilitate such at least partial folding of the handle 345.

[0070] It will be understood that one or more of the blanks, constructs, systems, and/or constructs provided herein can have one or more differing features without departing from the disclosure.

[0071] In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carrier to function at least generally as described above. The blank can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blanks can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

[0072] As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.

[0073] In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line.

[0074] The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carrier embodiments. The term glue is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carrier panels in place.

[0075] The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.