SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GUN BARREL CLEANING AND LUBRICATION VIA TREATED AMMUNITION

Abstract

A device is disclosed herein for treating a barrel of a gun using a round of ammunition, where the gun barrel has a first chamber at a first end and a muzzle at a second end, and where the round of ammunition comprises a projectile, a primer, a propellant charge (propellant), and a case, where the case holds the projectile, primer, and propellant, and where the round of ammunition contains one or more chemicals that is applied to treat the gun barrel once fired, and where treating the gun barrel is comprised of at least one element of a set comprising cleaning the gun barrel, lubricating the gun barrel, cooling the gun barrel, applying steam to the gun barrel, and annealing the gun barrel.

Claims

1. A device for treating a gun barrel using a round of ammunition, wherein the gun barrel has a first chamber/cylinder at a first end and a muzzle at a second end, and wherein the round of ammunition comprising: a projectile, wherein the projectile contains at least one chemical chamber, wherein the chemical chamber(s) holds a quantity of one or more chemicals, and wherein, respondent to firing the round of ammunition, the chamber(s) releases the one or more chemicals within the gun barrel; a primer; propellant; and a case, wherein the case holds the projectile, primer, and propellant, and wherein the round of ammunition containing the one or more chemicals that is applied to treat the gun barrel once fired, and wherein treating the gun barrel is comprised of at least one element of a set comprising: cleaning the gun barrel; lubricating the gun barrel; cooling the gun barrel; applying steam to the gun barrel; and annealing the gun barrel.

2. (canceled)

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising abrasive bristles located within the round of ammunition, wherein the bristles are constructed of at least one material of a set comprising brass, copper, aluminum, metal, plastic, and cloth, and wherein respondent to firing the round of ammunition, the bristles travels through the gun barrel, and wherein the bristles dislodges and moves contaminants in the gun barrel towards the muzzle of the gun barrel.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein cooling the gun barrel is accomplished by at least one element of a set comprising: evaporation of a cooling chemical; application of a cooling chemical; and application of a hydrophilic chemical.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein respondent to firing the round of ammunition, a lubrication solution is dispersed throughout the gun barrel, and wherein a portion of the lubrication solution remains in the gun barrel after the round of ammunition is fired.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein respondent to firing the round of ammunition, a drying solution is dispersed throughout the gun barrel to absorb liquids present in the gun barrel.

7. (canceled)

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the projectile is comprised of at least one element of a set containing plastic, frangible plastic, foam, metal, metal mesh, and a synthetic mesh abrasive material.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the propellant is provided entirely by the primer.

10. The device of claim 1, each chemical chamber contains identical or different chemical solutions.

11. The device of claim 2, further comprising a tracer compound located on the projectile, wherein the tracer compound is activated respondent to firing the round of ammunition, and wherein the tracer compound is color-coded to each unique chemical compound type, and wherein the projectile can be seen in daylight once activated.

12. A system for treating a gun barrel, comprising: a gun comprising: the gun barrel having a first chamber/cylinder and a muzzle; and one or more treating rounds of ammunition, wherein the treating round of ammunition is comprised of: a projectile wherein the projectile contains at least one chemical chamber, wherein the chemical chamber(s) holds a quantity of one or more chemicals, and wherein, respondent to firing the round of ammunition, the chamber(s) releases the one or more chemicals within the gun barrel; a primer; propellant; and a case, wherein the case holds the projectile, primer, and propellant, and wherein respondent to firing the treating round of ammunition, one or more chemicals is applied to the gun barrel, and wherein the gun barrel is treated by: inserting the treating round of ammunition into the first chamber/cylinder of the gun; and firing the treating round of ammunition to treat the gun barrel, wherein the projectile of the treating round of ammunition travels through the gun barrel and exits the gun barrel, and wherein treating an interior surface of the gun barrel comprises at least one element of a set comprising: cleaning the gun barrel; lubricating the gun barrel; cooling the gun barrel; applying steam to the gun barrel; applying a drying solution; applying a preservative solution; applying a marking solution; applying a water-based solution; and annealing the gun barrel.

13. (canceled)

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising an abrasive bristles located within the treating round of ammunition, wherein the bristles are constructed of at least one material of a set comprising brass, copper, aluminum, metal, plastic, and cloth, and wherein respondent to firing the treating round of ammunition, the bristles travel through the gun barrel, and wherein the bristles dislodge and move contaminants in the gun barrel towards the muzzle of the gun barrel.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein respondent to firing the treating round of ammunition, a lubrication solution is dispersed throughout the gun barrel, and wherein a portion of the lubrication solution remains in the gun barrel after the treating round of ammunition is fired.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the propellant is provided entirely by the primer.

17. A method for treating a gun barrel, the gun barrel having a first chamber/cylinder and a muzzle, the method comprising: loading a treating round of ammunition into the first chamber/cylinder, wherein the treating round of ammunition is comprised of: a projectile, wherein the projectile contains at least one chemical chamber, wherein the chemical chamber(s) holds a quantity of one or more chemicals, and wherein, respondent to firing the round of ammunition, the chamber(s) releases the one or more chemicals within the gun barrel; a primer; propellant; and a case, wherein respondent to firing the treating round of ammunition, the projectile travels along the gun barrel and deposits one or more chemicals that is applied to the gun barrel, and wherein treating the gun barrel is comprised of at least one element of a set comprising: cleaning the gun barrel; lubricating the gun barrel; cooling the gun barrel; applying steam to the gun barrel; applying a drying solution; applying a preservative solution; applying a marking solution; applying a water-based solution; and annealing the gun barrel.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising abrasive bristles located within the treating round of ammunition, wherein the bristles are constructed of at least one material of a set comprising brass, copper, aluminum, metal, plastic, and cloth, and wherein respondent to firing the treating round of ammunition, the bristles travel through the gun barrel, and wherein the bristles dislodge and move contaminants in the gun barrel towards the muzzle of the gun barrel.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein cooling the gun barrel is accomplished by at least one element of a set comprising: evaporation of a cooling solution; application of a cooling chemical; and application of a hydrophilic chemical solution.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein respondent to firing the treating round of ammunition, the lubrication solution is dispersed throughout the gun barrel, and wherein a portion of the lubrication solution remains in the gun barrel after the round of ammunition is fired.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Certain novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 depicts an treating round of ammunition that includes a projectile that includes a chemical chamber for carrying one or more chemicals in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 depicts various projectile types used for depositing chemicals and cleaning a barrel when the projectile is fired through the barrel in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 3 depicts ammunition projectiles with a single chemical chamber and a projectile with multiple chemical chambers in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 4 depicts a projectile composed of an abrasive tip for physically scrubbing the barrel when fired in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 5 depicts a treating round of ammunition with a tracer chemical positioned on an aft end of the projectile in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 6 depicts a gun barrel with a treating round of ammunition before firing in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 7 depicts a gun barrel immediately after firing the treating round of ammunition is fired in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 8 depicts the treated gun barrel after the treating round of ammunition leaves the gun barrel in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 9 depicts a revolver action that includes a cylinder in alignment with a gun barrel in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and

[0019] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of firing a treating round of ammunition to deposit one or more chemicals to a gun barrel during firing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are in direct contact and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be positioned between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments or configurations discussed.

[0021] Further, spatially relative terms, such as 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. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 100 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

[0022] The present disclosure may be better understood, and its numerous features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

[0023] FIGS. 1-10 illustrate devices, systems, and methods for depositing cleaning, cooling, and/or lubricating chemicals to a gun barrel during firing a treating round of ammunition. According to some embodiments, treating round of ammunition can perform multiple functions (cleaning, cooling and lubrication) simultaneously. Other embodiments are possible and are not limited by the examples discussed in this disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 1 depicts an treating round of ammunition 100 (treating round) that includes a projectile 102, a case 108, a primer 104, and a propellant charge 106 (propellant). The case 108 holds the projectile 102, primer 104, and propellant 106. The case 108 can be made of brass, aluminum, steel, or plastic. The projectile 102 includes one or more chemical chambers 110 for holding and dispersing one or more chemicals 112 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In some embodiments, the projectile 102 is comprised of plastic, frangible plastic, foam, metal, metal mesh, and a synthetic mesh abrasive material.

[0025] During firing, the treating round 100 is positioned into the barrel chamber or revolver cylinder chamber. The treating round 100 can be manually inserted into the chamber by a user or can be inserted into an ammunition clip, magazine, belt, and the like and automatically loaded into the chamber as part of normal functions of the weapon during firing. According to some embodiments, the treating round is loaded at a set rate, i.e., one treating round for every 20 regular rounds of ammunition. In other embodiments, the treating round is loaded as the last round in a magazine to provide cleaning, cooling, and lubricating chemicals to the barrel during firing through the deposition of the chemicals 112 onto the gun barrel. According to some embodiments, cooling effects take place when applying a hydrophilic chemical solution.

[0026] The propellant 106 can be composed of any gas- or force-producing compound, be it compressed gas, gunpowder, smokeless powder, pressurized gas, pressurized fluid, and the like. The propellant 106 is released when the primer 104 is struck and functions to propel the projectile 102 out of the case 108 and down the gun barrel. During the projectile's 102 passage through the gun barrel, the chemicals 112 positioned in the chamber 110 are released into the barrel.

[0027] In an alternative embodiment, the projectile 102 is propelled entirely by the force generated by the primer 104 (e.g., with no other propellant 106 present). In this manner, the treating round 100 does not possess the total impulsive force of a regular round of ammunition and is thus less powerful than a regular round of ammunition. In this manner, a user who is accidentally hit by the projectile 102 of a treating round of ammunition 100 will undergo a much lower chance of serious injury. In such instances, the primer 104 provides sufficient force to push the projectile 102 completely through the barrel and allowing the projectile 102 to deposit the one or more chemicals 112 within the barrel.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment, the chemical chamber 110 is located within the case 108 and not within the projectile 102. The one or more chemicals112 located within the chamber 110 is released when the propellant 106 is ignited and the projectile 102 moves down the barrel.

[0029] FIG. 2 depicts various projectile types 200 used for depositing one or more chemicals such as chemical 112 of FIG. 1 and cleaning, cooling, and/or lubricating a barrel when the projectile 102 is fired through the barrel in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The projectile types include an expandable foam plug 202 infused with chemicals 112 where the foam acts as a sponge to retain the chemicals 112 loaded within. In another embodiment, the projectile 102 is composed of a shape containing bristles (bristles) 204 that includes multiple strands 214 made of a resilient material such as brass, copper, aluminum, metal, plastic, cloth, and the like to form a shape containing scrubbing bristles for scraping the interior of the barrel clean when the bristles 204 is fired down the barrel. In some embodiments, the bristles 204 also includes one or more chemicals 112 positioned within a chamber or deposited onto the strands for deposition into the barrel during firing.

[0030] In another embodiment, the projectile 102 is comprised of an expanding stent projectile 208 with one or more outwardly expanding arms 218 that extend upon firing the treating round 100. In operation, the expanding stent projectile 208 maintains a standard projectile shape while in storage and transport but extends the stents 218 upon firing through a barrel. The stents 218 move outwards to grip the inner surface of the barrel and provide a scrubbing action to the barrel. According to other embodiments, the stents 218 are infused with one or more chemicals 112 that is deposited onto the barrel surface during firing. According to yet other embodiments, activation of the projectile 208 extends the stents 218 and also opens or otherwise releases one or more chemicals 112 from a chamber.

[0031] FIG. 2 continues with an abrasive pad projectile 210. In this embodiment, the abrasive pad projectile 210 is comprised of a woven material such as steel wool or nylon filaments to form a dense and strong abrasive material useful for scrubbing deposits off of surfaces such as barrels. According to some embodiments, the abrasive pad projectile 210 is also infused with a cleaning, cooling, and/or lubricating chemical 112 to provide both a scrubbing action and depositing one or more chemicals 112 deposition within the barrel.

[0032] Finally, FIG. 2 shows a projectile 102 comprised of a cloth plug 212. The cloth plug 212 acts as a standard cleaning plug or patch to swage the barrel and removing physical particulates from the barrel. According to some embodiments, the cloth plug 212 is infused with a cleaning, cooling, and/or lubricating chemical 112. For all of the above-mentioned projectiles, various combinations of each embodiment are possible and are not limited by these descriptions.

[0033] FIG. 3 depicts treating ammunition with projectiles 102 having a single chemical chamber and a projectile 102 with multiple chemical chambers in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The chambers, such as chamber 110 of FIG. 1, may be a single first chamber 302 or a plurality of first and second chambers 302, 304. Additional chambers can be present as well and are not limited to the examples shown here. Each chamber 302, 304 contains one or more chemicals 112 to be deposited into the barrel for cleaning, cooling, and/or lubrication. In some embodiments, a single chemical 112 can be used for multiples functions including cleaning, cooling, lubrication, drying, preserving, marking, and annealing the barrel. Other functions are possible with the proper selection of chemicals 112. The chemicals 112, can be a solid, including a powder, rods, flakes, or is a liquid or gel. In some embodiments, the chemicals 112 is composed of water, while in other embodiments, the chemicals 112 is composed of a solvent, colored liquid, natural or synthetic lubricating oil, or a paint-type substance.

[0034] According to yet other embodiments, when water is used as the chemical 112, the water turns to steam while in the barrel and cleans the barrel by exposing the barrel to elevated pressure and temperature. According to yet other embodiments, two or more chemicals 112 are kept isolated from one another while in the respective first and second chambers 302, 304 and are mixed only after the treating round 100 is fired. When mixed, the two chemicals 112 produces a powerful solvent mixture and high pressures for optimal cleaning and lubricating action.

[0035] FIG. 4 depicts an abrasive projectile round 400 with an abrasive tip 210 for physically scrubbing the barrel when fired in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The abrasive tip 210 can be made of metal wool (steel wool), nylon fibers, a sandpaper-type material, an abrasive compound similar to a pencil eraser, and the like.

[0036] According to some embodiments, the abrasive tip 210 is infused with one or more chemicals 112. In yet other embodiments, the abrasive projectile round 400 also includes one or more chambers 302, 304 for holding one or more chemicals 112 such as described in FIG. 3.

[0037] FIG. 5 depicts a treating round of ammunition with a tracer 500 (tracer round). The tracer round 500 includes a tracer material 502 positioned on an aft end of the projectile 102 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The tracer round 500 is used to indicate the usage of a treating round of ammunition 100 to the user. The tracer material 502 can be activated upon exposure to the heat or pressure of the propellant 106 or can be activated upon exposure to air such as when the tracer material 502 is comprised of phosphorus compounds. Other tracer chemicals are possible and are not limited to these examples.

[0038] In operation, the tracer round 500 can be of a distinct color in contrast to standard tracer rounds. As ne example, regular tracer rounds are used every five rounds in a belt or magazine and are red. A treating tracer round 500 can be green, blue, or yellow and indicates to the user that a tracer round 500 has just been fired.

[0039] According to some embodiments, the last three rounds of a magazine or belt can consist of tracer rounds 500, each with a tracer 502 as part of the projectile 102. Thus, once fired, the firing of tracer round(s) 500 alerts the user that one or more chemicals 112 has been deposited into the barrel.

[0040] FIG. 6 depicts a gun barrel 600 with a treating round of ammunition 100 inserted into a chamber 606 of a barrel 602 before firing in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The barrel 600 includes an external surface 602 and an internal surface 608. The chamber 606 is designed to hold the treating round 100 such that, upon firing, only the projectile 102 moves down the barrel 600 towards the muzzle 604 and eventually leaves the barrel 600 entirely. According to some embodiments, while traveling down the barrel 600 from the chamber 606 to the muzzle 604, the projectile 102 acts upon the barrel 600 by scrubbing the interior surface 608. The barrel 600 also includes a muzzle 604 from which the projectile 102 exits the barrel 600 after depositing the one or more chemicals 112 onto the internal surface 608.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the projectile 102 also deposits one or more chemicals 112 to the interior surface 608. These chemicals 112, as described in FIG. 3, can be used for multiples functions including cleaning, cooling, lubrication, drying, preserving, marking, and/or annealing the barrel. 600.

[0042] FIG. 7 depicts the gun barrel 600 immediately after firing the treating round of ammunition 100 and while the projectile 102 is still traveling down the barrel 600 towards the muzzle 604 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The projectile 102 is being propelled by the force 702 generated by the propellant 106 of FIG. 1. While traveling down the interior surface 608 of the barrel 600, the projectile 102 acts upon the interior surface 608 through abrasive action or the application of a bristle round 204 as described in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the projectile 102 distributes one or more chemicals 112 from a chemical chamber to the interior surface 608 of the barrel 600 as shown in distribution vectors 704.

[0043] FIG. 8 depicts the treated gun barrel 600 after the treating round's 100 projectile 102 leaves the muzzle 604 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. As shown, residual chemicals 802 remain behind to treat the barrel 600 with a cleanser, a coolant, a lubricant, or other chemical used to improve the life and durability of the barrel 600. According to some embodiments, the residual chemicals 802 remain on the interior surface 608, such as lubricants and preservatives. Meanwhile, other residual chemicals 802 evaporate in an effort to cool or clean the interior surface 608.

[0044] FIG. 9 depicts an alternative gun barrel arrangement commonly referred to as a revolver. Revolver 900 includes a cylinder 902 in alignment with a gun barrel, such as gun barrel 602 of FIG. 6 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The cylinder includes a plurality of individual cylinder chambers 906A, 906B, 906C with each cylinder chamber 906A, 906B, 906C capable of holding one round of ammunition, including a treating round of ammunition 100 of FIG. 1. A revolver 900 does not include a first chamber 606; rather, the cylinder 902 includes multiple cylinder chambers 906A, 906B, 906C.

[0045] During firing, the projectile 102 travels from the cylinder chamber 906A, 906B, 906C to the gun barrel 602. Otherwise, the projectile 102 operates the same as described herein by traveling through the barrel 602 and depositing the one or more chemicals 112 within the barrel 602. Other embodiments are possible and are not limited by these examples.

[0046] FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1000 of a method of firing a treating round of ammunition 100 to deposit one or more chemicals 112 onto the internal surface 608 of a gun barrel 600 during firing. At block 1002, step 1 of the method 1000 discloses a user places a treating round 100 into the chamber 606 of the barrel 602. The treating round 100 can be inserted into the chamber manually or can be located in an ammunition belt, clip, or magazine as described in FIG. 1.

[0047] At block 1004, step 2 discloses having the treating round 100 fired by the normal operation of the weapon. As the treating round 100 is fired, expanding gases propel the projectile 102 down the barrel 602 towards the muzzle 604. For those projectiles 102 having an abrasive function, the projectile 102 scrubs the interior surface 608 of the barrel 602 while traveling towards the muzzle 604.

[0048] At block 1006, step 3 discloses that the projectile 102 discharges one or more chemicals 112 to the interior surface 608 of the barrel 602 as the projectile 102 moves towards the muzzle 604.

[0049] At block 1008. Step 4 discloses how the one or more chemicals 112 treatment cleans, cools, lubricates, anneals, or otherwise treats the barrel 602 through cleaning, evaporation, and/or dissolving contaminants.

[0050] At block 1010, step 5 discloses an optional step of alerting the user that a treating round has been fired and thus verifying that the barrel 602 is clear of obstructions such as a squib round or a barrel 600 filled with dirt or other foreign matter.

[0051] Finally, at block 1012, the method can be repeated for every X number of rounds, every magazine, etc. as needed.

[0052] The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those of ordinary skill in the art may better understand various aspects of the present disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes or achieving the same advantages of various embodiments introduced herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0053] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing at least some of the claims.

[0054] Various operations of embodiments are provided herein. The order in which some or all of the operations are described should not be construed to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. Alternative ordering will be appreciated having the benefit of this description. Further, it will be understood that not all operations are necessarily present in each embodiment provided herein. Also, it will be understood that not all operations are necessary in some embodiments.

[0055] As used in this application, or is intended to mean an inclusive or rather than an exclusive or. In addition, a and an as used in this application and the appended claims are generally be construed to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Also, at least one of A and B and/or the like generally means A or B or both A and B. Furthermore, to the extent that includes, having, has, with, or variants thereof are used, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising. Also, unless specified otherwise, first, second, or the like are not intended to imply a temporal aspect, a spatial aspect, an ordering, etc. Rather, such terms are merely used as identifiers, names, etc. for features, elements, items, etc. For example, a first element and a second element generally correspond to element A and element B or two different or two identical elements or the same element.

[0056] Also, although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others of ordinary skill in the art based upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The disclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above-described components the terms used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (for example, a term that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

[0057] Note that not all of the activities or elements described above in the general description are required, that a portion of a specific activity or device may not be required, and that one or more further activities may be performed, or elements included, in addition to those described. Still further, the order in which activities are listed are not necessarily the order in which they are performed. Also, the concepts have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0058] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of any or all the claims. Moreover, the particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the disclosed subject matter may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. No limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the disclosed subject matter. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.