STRIP MATERIAL COLLECTION DEVICE AND STRIP MATERIAL COLLECTION METHOD

Abstract

A strip material collection device comprises a movable bracket, a rotatable bracket, a first panel, and two second panels. The movable bracket is movable in a straight line along a horizontal direction. The rotatable bracket is rotatable between two working positions around a vertical axis extending in a vertical direction. The first panel is rotatably mounted on the movable bracket and has a joining feature adapted to join with a reel for winding a strip material. The two second panels are respectively rotatably installed on both sides of the rotatable bracket and have installation features for installing the reel. When the rotatable bracket is rotated to the working position, one second panel faces the first panel for cooperating with the first panel to clamp and rotate the reel, and the other second panel faces away from the first panel to allow replacement of the reel installed on it.

Claims

1. A strip material collection device, comprising: a movable bracket movable in a straight line along a horizontal direction; a rotatable bracket rotatable between two working positions around a vertical axis extending in a vertical direction; a first panel rotatably mounted on the movable bracket and having a joining feature adapted to join with a reel for winding a strip material; and two second panels respectively rotatably installed on both sides of the rotatable bracket and have installation features for installing the reel, wherein when the rotatable bracket is rotated to the working position, one second panel faces the first panel for cooperating with the first panel to clamp and rotate the reel, and the other second panel faces away from the first panel to allow replacement of the reel installed on it.

2. The strip material collection device according to claim 1, wherein: the first panel is rotatable relative to the movable bracket about a horizontal axis extending along the horizontal direction; and when the rotatable bracket is rotated to the working position, the one second panel facing the first panel can be rotated relative to the rotatable bracket about the horizontal axis, so that the reel clamped between the first panel and the one second panel can be rotated about the horizontal axis.

3. The strip material collection device according to claim 1, wherein the installation feature on the second panel includes a central mounting shaft which is located at the center of the second panel and is suitable for insertion into a central mounting hole in the reel, the central mounting shaft forms an interference fit with the central mounting hole in the reel to fix the reel to the second panel.

4. The strip material collection device according to claim 3, wherein multiple ribs are formed on the central mounting shaft, which extend along the axial direction of the central mounting shaft and are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the central mounting shaft, the multiple ribs form an interference fit with the hole wall of the central mounting hole in the reel to fix the reel to the second panel.

5. The strip material collection device according to claim 3, wherein the installation feature on the second panel further comprises an eccentric installation shaft which is offset from the center of the second panel by a predetermined distance and suitable for insertion into an eccentric installation hole in the reel, so that the reel installed on the second panel can be rotated together with the second panel, wherein the eccentric mounting shaft forms interference fit with the eccentric mounting hole in the reel to fix the reel to the second panel.

6. The strip material collection device according to claim 1, further comprising two locking devices respectively installed on both sides of the rotatable bracket, and adapted to lock two reels to the two second panels, respectively, wherein: the locking device comprises multiple elastic locking claws, and a central through-hole is formed in the second panel to allow the elastic locking claws to pass through; and the multiple elastic locking claws pass through the central through-hole in the second panel and are adapted to be inserted and locked into a central locking hole in the reel to lock the second panel and the reel together.

7. The strip material collection device according to claim 6, wherein the locking device further comprise a driving mechanism installed on the rotatable bracket driving the multiple elastic locking claws to move between a locking position engaged with the central locking hole in the reel and an unlocking position separated from the central locking hole in the reel.

8. The strip material collection device according to claim 7, wherein the driving mechanism is an electric driving mechanism or a pneumatic driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism is capable of driving the multiple elastic locking claws to move synchronously along the radial direction of the central through-hole.

9. The strip material collection device according to claim 6, wherein the installation feature on the second panel includes multiple eccentric mounting shafts offset from the center of the second panel by a predetermined distance and are suitable for being respectively inserted into multiple eccentric mounting holes in the reel, so that the reel installed on the second panel can be rotated together with the second panel.

10. The strip material collection device according to claim 3, wherein the joining feature on the first panel comprises a central joint shaft located at the center of the first panel and is suitable for joining into the central mounting hole in the reel, wherein the diameter of the central joint shaft is equal to the inner diameter of the central mounting hole in the reel.

11. The strip material collection device according to claim 10, wherein the joining feature on the first panel further comprises an eccentric joint shaft offset from the center of the first panel by a predetermined distance and is suitable for joint into an eccentric mounting hole in the reel, wherein the diameter of the eccentric joint shaft is equal to the inner diameter of the eccentric mounting hole in the reel.

12. The strip material collection device according to claim 1, further comprising two driving devices respectively installed on both sides of the rotatable bracket, for respectively driving the two second panels to rotate relative to the rotatable bracket, wherein the reel installed on the second panel are rotatable together with the second panel under the driving of the driving device.

13. The strip material collection device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first fixed base on which the movable bracket is mounted in a movable manner; and a first driving mechanism installed on the first fixed base, for driving the movable bracket to move in the horizontal direction.

14. The strip material collection device according to claim 13, further comprising: a slide rail fixed on the first fixed base and extending along the horizontal direction; and a slider fixed to the bottom of the movable bracket and mated with the slide rail, so that the movable bracket can be moved along the slide rail.

15. The strip material collection device according to claim 13, wherein the first driving mechanism comprises: a first servo motor installed on the first fixed base; and a first transmission mechanism connected between the output shaft of the first servo motor and the movable bracket, wherein the first servo motor drives the movable bracket to move in the horizontal direction through the first transmission mechanism.

16. The strip material collection device according to claim 15, wherein the first transmission mechanism comprises: a lead screw with both ends rotatably mounted on the first fixed base; and a nut threaded with the lead screw and fixed to the movable bracket, wherein the output shaft of the first servo motor is connected to one end of the lead screw for driving the lead screw to rotate, so as to drive the nut and the movable bracket to move in the horizontal direction through the lead screw.

17. The strip material collection device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second fixed base on which the rotatable bracket is rotatably mounted; and a second driving mechanism installed on the second fixed base, for driving the rotatable bracket to rotate around the vertical axis between the two working positions.

18. The strip material collection device according to claim 7, wherein the second driving mechanism comprises: a second servo motor installed on the second fixed base; and a second transmission mechanism connected between the output shaft of the second servo motor and the rotatable bracket, wherein the second servo motor drives the rotatable bracket to rotate between the two working positions through the second transmission mechanism.

19. The strip material collection device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation angle of the rotatable bracket from one working position to the other working position is equal to 180 degrees.

20. A strip material collection method comprising steps of: S10: providing the strip material collection device as claimed in claim 1; S11: installing one reel onto one second panel facing away from the first panel; S12: rotating the rotatable bracket from one working position to the other working position, so that the one reel faces the first panel; S13: horizontally moving the first panel through the movable bracket, so that the one reel is clamped between the first panel and the one second panel; S14: driving the one second panel and the one reel to rotate synchronously, in order to wind the strip material onto the reel; S15: installing another reel onto the other second panel facing away from the first panel; S16: when the one reel is fully wound with the strip material, stopping rotating the one reel and moving the first panel to a position separated from the one reel; S17: rotating the rotatable bracket from the other working position to the one working position, so that the one reel faces away from the first panel and another reel faces the first panel; S18: horizontally moving the first panel through the movable bracket, so that another reel is clamped between the first panel and the other second panel; S19: driving the other second panel and another reel to rotate synchronously, in order to wind the strip material onto another reel; S20: removing the one reel that has been fully wound with the strip material from the one second panel and installing another empty reel onto the one second panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] The accompanying drawings incorporated therein and forming a part of the specification illustrate the present disclosure and, and together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the disclosure and to enable those skilled in the relevant art to manufacture and use the embodiments described herein.

[0006] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative perspective view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0007] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 3 shows an illustrative perspective view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a reel installed on a second panel is shown;

[0009] FIG. 4 shows an illustrative plan view of a reel installed on a second panel;

[0010] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a reel is installed on a second panel facing away from the first panel;

[0011] FIG. 6 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a reel installed on a second panel is rotated by a rotatable bracket to a position facing the first panel;

[0012] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a reel installed on a second panel is clamped between a first panel and a second panel;

[0013] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a reel installed on a second panel is wound with strip material while another reel is installed on the other second panel facing away from the first panel;

[0014] FIG. 9 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the first panel is moved to a position separated from the reel when a reel installed on a second panel is already wrapped with strip material, and another reel installed on the other second panel is rotated to a position facing the first panel by rotating the bracket;

[0015] FIG. 10 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a reel installed on the other second panel is clamped between a first panel and the other second panel;

[0016] FIG. 11 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a reel wrapped with strip material installed on a second panel is removed from a second panel;

[0017] FIG. 12 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein an empty reel is mounted on a second panel;

[0018] FIG. 13 shows an illustrative perspective view of a strip material collection device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 14 shows a partially enlarged plan view of a strip material collection device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 15 shows a partially enlarged side view of a strip material collection device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0021] FIG. 16 shows an illustrative perspective view of the locking device of the strip material collection device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The features disclosed in this disclosure will become more apparent in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where similar reference numerals always identify the corresponding components. In the accompanying drawings, similar reference numerals typically represent identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar components. Unless otherwise stated, the drawings provided throughout the entire disclosure should not be construed as drawings drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the like reference numerals refer to the like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0024] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a strip material collection device comprises: a movable bracket capable of being moved in a straight line along a horizontal direction; a rotatable bracket capable of being rotated between two working positions around a vertical axis extending in a vertical direction; a first panel which is rotatably mounted on the movable bracket and has a joining feature suitable for joining with a reel for winding a strip material; and two second panels which are respectively rotatably installed on both sides of the rotatable bracket and have installation features for installing the reel. When the rotatable bracket is rotated to the working position, one second panel faces the first panel for cooperating with the first panel to clamp and rotate the reel, and the other second panel faces away from the first panel to allow replacement of the reel installed on it.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a strip material collection method comprises the steps of: providing the above strip material collection device; installing one reel onto one second panel facing away from the first panel; rotating the rotatable bracket from one working position to the other working position, so that the one reel faces the first panel; horizontally moving the first panel through the movable bracket, so that the one reel is clamped between the first panel and the one second panel; driving the one second panel and the one reel to rotate synchronously, in order to wind the strip material onto the reel; installing another reel onto the other second panel facing away from the first panel; when the one reel is fully wound with the strip material, stopping rotating the one reel and moving the first panel to a position separated from the one reel; rotating the rotatable bracket from the other working position to the one working position, so that the one reel faces away from the first panel and another reel faces the first panel; horizontally moving the first panel through the movable bracket, so that another reel is clamped between the first panel and the other second panel; driving the other second panel and another reel to rotate synchronously, in order to wind the strip material onto another reel; removing the one reel that has been fully wound with the strip material from the one second panel and installing another empty reel onto the one second panel.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative perspective view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows an illustrative perspective view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a reel 9 installed on a second panel 2 is shown. FIG. 4 shows an illustrative plan view of the reel 9 installed on a second panel 2.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a strip material collection device is disclosed. The strip material collection device includes: a movable bracket 3, a rotatable bracket 4, a first panel 1, and two second panels 2. The movable bracket 3 can be moved horizontally in a straight line. The rotatable bracket 4 can be rotated between two working positions around a vertical axis extending in the vertical direction. The first panel 1 is rotatably mounted on the movable bracket 3 and has a joining feature 10 suitable for joining with the reel 9 used for winding a strip material. Two second panels 2 are respectively rotatably mounted on both sides of the rotatable bracket 4 and have installation features 20 for mounting the reel 9. When the rotatable bracket 4 is rotated to any working position, one second panel 2 faces the first panel 1 to cooperate with the first panel 1 to clamp and rotate the reel 9, and the other second panel 2 faces away from the first panel 1 to allow for the replacement of the reel 9 installed on it. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotation angle of the rotatable bracket 4 between two working positions is 180 degrees, that is, the rotatable bracket 4 needs to rotate 180 degrees from one working position to the other working position.

[0029] The first panel 1 can be rotated relative to the movable bracket 3 about a horizontal axis extending in the horizontal direction. When the rotatable bracket 4 is rotated to the working position, the one second panel 2 facing the first panel 1 can be rotated about a horizontal axis relative to the rotatable bracket 4, so that the reel 9 clamped between the first panel 1 and the one second panel 2 can be rotated about the horizontal axis.

[0030] The installation feature 20 on the second panel 2 includes a central installation shaft 21, which is located at the center of the second panel 2 and is suitable for insertion into the central installation hole 91 in the reel 9, so that the reel 9 can be fixed to the second panel 2. The central mounting shaft 21 is suitable for interference fit with the central mounting hole 91 in the reel 9 to fix the reel 9 to the second panel 2. Multiple ribs are formed on the central mounting shaft 21, which extend along the axial direction of the central mounting shaft 21 and are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the central mounting shaft 21. The multiple ribs are used for interference fit with the wall of the central mounting hole 91 in the reel 9 to fix the reel 9 to the second panel 2.

[0031] The installation feature 20 on the second panel 2 further includes an eccentric installation shaft 22, which is offset from the center of the second panel 2 by a predetermined distance and is suitable for insertion into the eccentric installation hole 92 in the reel 9, so that the reel 9 installed on the second panel 2 can be rotated together with the second panel 2. The eccentric installation or mounting shaft 22 is suitable for interference fit with the eccentric mounting hole 92 on the reel 9 to fix the reel 9 to the second panel 2.

[0032] The joining feature 10 on the first panel 1 includes a central joint shaft 11, which is located at the center of the first panel 1 and is suitable for joining into the central mounting hole 91 in the reel 9. The diameter of the central joint shaft 11 is equal to the inner diameter of the central mounting hole 91 in the reel 9. The joining feature 10 on the first panel 1 further includes an eccentric joint shaft 12, which is offset from the center of the first panel 1 by a predetermined distance and is suitable for joint into the eccentric mounting hole 92 in the reel 9. The diameter of the eccentric joint shaft 12 is equal to the inner diameter of the eccentric mounting hole 92 on the reel 9.

[0033] The strip material collection device further comprises two driving devices 23, which are respectively installed on both sides of the rotatable bracket 4, for driving the two second panels 2 to rotate relative to the rotatable bracket 4, so that the reel 9 installed on the second panel 2 can be rotated together with the second panel 2 under the driving of the driving devices 23.

[0034] The strip material collection device further comprises a first fixed base 7 and a first driving mechanism 5. The movable bracket 3 is mounted on the first fixed base 7 in a movable manner. The first driving mechanism 5 is installed on the first fixed base 7, used to drive the movable bracket 3 to move horizontally.

[0035] The strip material collection device further comprises a slide rail 3a and a slider 3b. The slide rail 3a is fixed on the first fixed base 7 and extends horizontally. The slider 3b is fixed to the bottom of the movable bracket 3 and mated with the slide rail 3a, so that the movable bracket 3 can be moved along the slide rail 3a.

[0036] The first driving mechanism 5 includes a first servo motor 53 and a first transmission mechanism 50. The first servo motor 53 is installed on the first fixed base 7. The first transmission mechanism 50 is connected between the output shaft of the first servo motor 53 and the movable bracket 3. The first servo motor 53 drives the movable bracket 3 to move horizontally through the first transmission mechanism 50.

[0037] The first transmission mechanism 50 includes a lead screw 51 and a nut 52. The two ends of lead screw 51 are rotatably mounted on the first fixed base 7. The nut 52 is threaded with the lead screw 51 and fixed to the movable bracket 3. The output shaft of the first servo motor 53 is connected to one end of the lead screw 51, used to drive the lead screw 51 to rotate, so as to move the nut 52 and the movable bracket 3 in the horizontal direction through the lead screw 51.

[0038] The strip material collection device further comprises a second fixed base 8 and a second driving mechanism 6. The second fixed base 8 and the rotatable bracket 4 are rotatably installed on the second fixed base 8. The second driving mechanism 6 is installed on the second fixed base 8, used to drive the rotatable bracket 4 to rotate around the vertical axis between two working positions.

[0039] The second driving mechanism 6 includes a second servo motor 61 and a second transmission mechanism 60. The second servo motor 61 is installed on the second fixed base 8. The second transmission mechanism 60 is connected between the output shaft of the second servo motor 61 and the rotatable bracket 4. The second servo motor 61 drives the rotatable bracket 4 to rotate between two working positions through the second transmission mechanism 60.

[0040] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a reel 9 is installed on a second panel 2 facing away from the first panel 1. FIG. 6 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a reel 9 installed on a second panel 2 is rotated by the rotatable bracket 4 to a position facing the first panel 1. FIG. 7 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a reel 9 installed on a second panel 2 is clamped between a first panel 1 and a second panel 2. FIG. 8 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a reel 9 installed on one second panel 2 is wound with strip material while another reel 9 is installed on the other second panel 2 facing away from the first panel 1. FIG. 9 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the first panel 1 is moved to a position separated from the reel 9 when the reel 9 installed on one second panel 2 is already wound with strip material, and another reel 9 installed on the other second panel 2 is rotated to a position facing the first panel 1 by rotating the bracket 4. FIG. 10 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a reel 9 installed on the other second panel 2 is clamped between a first panel 1 and the other second panel 2. FIG. 11 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a reel 9 wound with strip material installed on one second panel 2 is removed from one second panel 2. FIG. 12 shows a side view of a strip material collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which an empty reel 9 is mounted on one second panel 2.

[0041] The following will provide a detailed explanation of a strip material collection method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, based on the accompanying drawings. The strip material collection method includes the following steps: [0042] S10: As shown in FIG. 1-4, providing the aforementioned strip material collection device; [0043] S11: As shown in FIG. 5, installing one reel 9 onto one second panel 2 facing away from the first panel 1; [0044] S12: As shown in FIG. 6, rotating the rotatable bracket 4 from one working position to the other working position, so that the one reel 9 faces the first panel 1; [0045] S13: As shown in FIG. 7, the first panel 1 is horizontally moved by moving the movable bracket 3, so that the one reel 9 is clamped between the first panel 1 and the one second panel 2; [0046] S14: As shown in FIG. 8, driving the one second panel 2 and the one reel 9 to rotate synchronously, in order to wind the strip material onto the one reel 9; [0047] S15: As shown in FIG. 8, installing another reel 9 onto the other second panel 2 facing away from the first panel 1; [0048] S16: As shown in FIG. 9, when the one reel 9 is already fully wound with strip material, stop rotating the one reel 9 and move the first panel 1 to a position separated from the one reel 9; [0049] S17: As shown in FIG. 9, rotating the rotatable bracket 4 from the other working position to the one working position, so that the one reel 9 faces away from the first panel 1 and another reel 9 faces the first panel 1; [0050] S18: As shown in FIG. 10, the first panel 1 is horizontally moved by moving the movable bracket 3, so that another reel 9 is clamped between the first panel 1 and the other second panel 2; [0051] S19: As shown in FIG. 10, driving the other second panel 2 and another reel 9 to rotate synchronously, in order to wind the strip material onto another reel 9; [0052] S20: As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, removing the one reel 9 that has been fully wound with strip material from the one second panel 2 and installing an empty reel 9 onto the one second panel 2.

[0053] Please note that the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. For example, FIGS. 13-16 show another exemplary embodiment according to the present invention. Among them, FIG. 13 shows an illustrative perspective view of a strip material collection device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 shows a partially enlarged plan view of a strip material collection device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 shows a partially enlarged side view of a strip material collection device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 shows an illustrative perspective view of the locking device 24 of the strip material collection device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 13-16, in the illustrated embodiment, the strip material collection device further includes two locking devices 24, which are respectively installed on both sides of the rotatable bracket, suitable for respectively locking the two reels 9 to the two second panels 2.

[0055] The locking device 24 includes multiple elastic locking claws 24a, and a central through-hole 201 is formed in the second panel 2 to allow the elastic locking claws 24a to pass through. Multiple elastic locking claws 24a pass through the central through-hole 201 in the second panel 2 and are suitable for insertion and locking into the central locking hole in the reel 9 to lock the second panel 2 and reel 9 together.

[0056] The number of multiple elastic locking claws 24a is at least three, and the multiple elastic locking claws 24a are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the central through-hole 201 of the second panel 2.

[0057] The locking device 24 further includes a driving mechanism 24, which is mounted on the rotatable bracket 4 and used to drive multiple elastic locking claws 24a to move between a locking position engaged with a central locking hole (not shown) in the reel 9 and an unlocking position separated from the central locking hole in the reel 9.

[0058] The driving mechanism 24 can be an electric driving mechanism or a pneumatic driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism 24 can drive multiple elastic locking claws 24a to move synchronously along the radial direction of the central through-hole 201.

[0059] The installation feature 20 on the second panel 2 includes multiple eccentric installation shafts 22, which are offset from the center of the second panel 2 by a predetermined distance and are suitable for being respectively inserted into multiple eccentric installation holes 92 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) in the reel 9, so that the reel 9 installed on the second panel 2 can be rotated together with the second panel 2.

[0060] It should be appreciated for those skilled in this art that the above embodiments are intended to be illustrated, and not restrictive. For example, many modifications may be made to the above embodiments by those skilled in this art, and various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined with each other without conflicting in configuration or principle.

[0061] Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0062] As used herein, an element recited in the singular and proceeded with the word a or an should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to one embodiment of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments comprising or having an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.