SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PIPE BOOTS

Abstract

In some embodiments, a pipe boot flange may include one or more fitting portions. The pipe boot flange may include one diaphragm gate. In some embodiments, a method may include injecting a flow of a resin through a runner and into a diaphragm gate of a mold cavity for a pipe boot flange. The method may include directing the resin through the mold cavity. The method may include forming the pipe boot flange. The method may include removing the formed pipe boot flange from the mold cavity.

Claims

1. A pipe boot flange comprising: one or more fitting portions; and one diaphragm gate.

2. The pipe boot flange of claim 1, wherein the one or more fitting portions comprise a plurality of concentric fitting portions of different circumference, wherein adjacent fitting portions are separated by a boundary.

3. The pipe boot flange of claim 2, wherein each of the boundaries are at a boundary angle of about 90 degrees relative to a vertical axis.

4. The pipe boot flange of claim 1, wherein a wall of each of the one or more fitting portions are each disposed at a wall angle relative to a vertical axis.

5. The pipe boot flange of claim 4, wherein the wall angle is about 1 to 3 degrees relative to the vertical axis.

6. The pipe boot flange of claim 1, wherein the pipe boot flange is formed using an injection molding process.

7. The pipe boot flange of claim 6, wherein the pipe boot flange is made of a thermoplastic elastomer material.

8. The pipe boot flange of claim 6, wherein the pipe boot flange is formed as a unitary molded body without vertical weld lines formed therein.

9. The pipe boot flange of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more fitting portions define a tab having a first portion and a second portion.

10. The pipe boot flange of claim 9, wherein the tab of each of the one or more fitting portions protrudes from a wall of the respective fitting portion such that one of the first portion or the second portion is configured to flex and engage a pipe to form a seal against the pipe when the pipe boot flange is placed over the pipe.

11. The pipe boot flange of claim 1, further comprising an attachment member defining one or more fastener towers.

12. A pipe boot comprising: a flange extending between a first end and a second end, the flange defining a plurality of concentric fitting portions between the first end and the second end, each of the plurality of concentric fitting portions sized for a respective pipe size, the flange having one diaphragm gate connected to a first one of plurality of concentric fitting portions at the first end of the flange.

13. The pipe boot of claim 12, wherein adjacent concentric fitting portions are separated by a boundary that is at a boundary angle of about 90 degrees relative to a vertical axis.

14. The pipe boot of claim 12, wherein a wall of each of the plurality of concentric fitting portions are each disposed at a wall angle relative to a vertical axis.

15. The pipe boot of claim 14, wherein the wall angle is about 1 to 3 degrees relative to the vertical axis.

16. The pipe boot of claim 12, wherein the flange is formed using an injection molding process.

17. The pipe boot of claim 16, wherein the flange is made of a thermoplastic elastomer material.

18. The pipe boot claim 16, wherein the flange is formed as a unitary molded body without vertical weld lines formed therein.

19. The pipe boot of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of concentric fitting portions define a tab having a first portion and a second portion.

20. The pipe boot of claim 19, wherein the tab of each of the plurality of concentric fitting portions protrudes from a wall of the respective fitting portion such that one of the first portion or the second portion is configured to flex and engage a pipe to form a seal against the pipe when the flange is placed over the pipe.

21. The pipe boot of claim 12, wherein the flange further comprises an attachment member defining one or more fastener towers each sized and configured to receive a fastener.

22. A method comprising: injecting a flow of a resin through a runner and into a diaphragm gate of a mold cavity for a pipe boot flange; directing the resin through the mold cavity; forming the pipe boot flange; and removing the formed pipe boot flange from the mold cavity.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the resin is uniformly directed through the mold cavity circumferentially, whereby the formed pipe boot flange is formed as a unitary molded body without vertical weld lines formed therein.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising removing the diaphragm gate from the formed pipe boot flange.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by, the following detailed descriptions of example embodiments. The detailed descriptions of the example embodiments are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a pipe boot installed on a roof;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a degraded pipe boot installed on a roof;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of a pipe boot flange having a multi-gate system;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a detail view of a pipe boot flange from detail 4 shown in FIG. 3;

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the pipe boot flange shown in FIG. 3;

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of a pipe boot in accordance with some embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of a pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates a first cross-sectional view of a pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates a second cross-sectional view of a pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of an injection molding tool in accordance with some embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 12 illustrates a detail view of an injection molding tool from detail 12 shown in FIG. 11 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 13A illustrates a first view of a mold cavity forming a pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 13B illustrates a second view of a mold cavity forming a pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0028] FIG. 13C illustrates a third view of a mold cavity forming a pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 13D illustrates a fourth view of a mold cavity forming a pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 13E illustrates a fifth view of a mold cavity forming a pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0031] FIG. 13F illustrates a sixth view of a mold cavity forming a pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0032] FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a formed pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0033] FIG. 15 illustrates a detail view of a land of a pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0034] FIG. 16 illustrates an isometric view of a pipe boot flange coupled to a pipe in accordance with some embodiments;

[0035] FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pipe boot flange engaged with a pipe in accordance with some embodiments;

[0036] FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary second pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0037] FIG. 19 illustrates a bottom view of a second pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments;

[0038] FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary method of forming a pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0039] FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary method of installing a pipe boot flange in accordance with some embodiments.

[0040] While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed and that the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Rather, the present disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of these exemplary embodiments.

[0042] As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a component includes aspects having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Relative terms such as lower, upper, horizontal, vertical, above, below, up, down, top, and bottom as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., horizontally, downwardly, upwardly, etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as connected and interconnected refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The terms couple, coupled, operatively coupled, operatively connected, and the like should be broadly understood to refer to connecting devices or components together either mechanically, or otherwise, such that the connection allows the pertinent devices or components to operate with each other as intended by virtue of that relationship. As used herein, the term substantially or generally denotes elements having a recited relationship (e.g., parallel, perpendicular, aligned, circular, etc.) within acceptable manufacturing tolerances.

[0043] Ranges can be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0044] The present disclosure pertains to building products manufactured in an injection molding process. More specifically, the present disclosure is related to building products, such as (i) flashing, including ventilation flashings and pipe boot flashings, (ii) boots, including pipe boots, rain boots, and rain collars, and (iii) collars, including repair collars and repair boots.

[0045] Some pipe boots are manufactured using a multi-gate injection molding process. FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of a pipe boot flange 12a having a multi-gate system. FIG. 4 illustrates a detail view of the pipe boot flange 12a from detail 4 shown in FIG. 3. And FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the pipe boot flange 12a. During injection molding, liquid resin may flow into a mold cavity of the pipe boot flange 12a through spaced gates 18a-c. When multiple spaced gates 18a-c are used in a molded pipe boot flange 12a, it is common for weld lines 20 to occur, as best seen in FIG. 5. A weld seam or line 20, sometimes referred to as a knit line, represents the junction where two resin flow fronts converge during the molding process. This weld line 20 defect may create weak points and potentially become a failure point.

[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of a pipe boot 100 in accordance with some embodiments. Pipe boot 100 may include a pipe boot flange 112 and a pipe boot base 116. The flange 112 may be manufactured in an injection molding process as discussed above. However, the flange 112 may include only one gate 118 that is connected to an injection molding machine with a runner 120. The runner 120 is the channel from which the resin is injected during manufacturing.

[0047] Thus, during manufacturing resin may flow through the injection molding machine through the runner 120 and into the gate 118 where it is dispersed uniformly throughout the flange 112 mold, as will be discussed in more detail below. The flange 112 may be formed in any suitable shape, such as a generally circular shape, a generally square shape, a generally rectangular shape, a generally triangular shape, or other suitable polygonal shape.

[0048] In various embodiments, the pipe boot flange 112 may be manufactured from an automotive grade thermoplastic elastomer material, which may provide a better resistivity against ultraviolet (UV) light and moisture enhancing the quality of the flange 112. In some embodiments, the material may be the AURORA FLEXTM 8068N thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material from Aurora Plastics, LLC of Streetsboro, Ohio. These TPE materials may have many of the same properties as vulcanized rubber, but can be molded and extruded using thermoplastic process equipment. Thermoplastic processing may provide advantages over vulcanized, thermoset rubbers which are processed using a slower and more costly curing process. These TPE materials can be formulated to desired plasticity, color, UV resistance, durometer requirements, chemical resistance and the need to accommodate certain temperatures. TPE options may be available as low as 10A* and up to 50D durometer hardness.

[0049] After a 6000-hour QUV/Weathering test was performed on the material (ASTM D4329 (Standard Practice for Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Apparatus Exposure of Plastics) Cycle C (polymer building products)), little to no change in the material color was found, which indicates low damage to the material after exposure to these conditions. For reference, 1000 hours of weathering conditions equals a little over a year, so after 6000 hours it can be concluded that pipe boot 100 made of the material should exhibit little to no damage from 6 to 7 years. It was also determined that the color shift was acceptable for most consumer and industrial market applications with no degradation or surface blooming observed.

[0050] The base 116 may define one or more dimples 121a-g sized and configured to receive a fastener (e.g., nail, screw, bolt, etc.) such that the base 116 can be coupled to the roof 11 or other surface. For example, fasteners may be used to couple the base 116 to a surface by inserting the fasteners through the dimples 121a-g by puncturing the base 116 material at the top end of the dimples 121a-g, inserting the fasteners through the dimples 121a-g, and engaging the coupling surface, such as the roof 11. The base 116 may also define one or more tags 122 which may be used to display information (e.g., product information such as logos, name, dimensions, etc.). In some embodiments, the base 116 may be made of a metal, a metal alloy, a plastic (e.g., polypropylene), or some other suitable material.

[0051] The base 116 may be formed in any suitable shape, such as a generally circular shape, a generally square shape, a generally rectangular shape, a generally triangular shape, or other suitable polygonal shape. In some embodiments, the base 116 is generally the same shape as the flange 112. In other embodiments, the base 116 is a different shape from the flange 112. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates that the flange 112 may be generally circular and the base 116 may be generally rectangular.

[0052] In some embodiments, the flange 112 may be crimped to the base 116 or other suitable surface with a crimping tool. In other embodiments, the flange 112 may be coupled to the base 116 using an overmolding manufacturing process.

[0053] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the pipe boot flange 112, and FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of the pipe boot flange 112 according to some embodiments. The flange 112 may extend between a first end 123 and a second end 126. The flange 112 may include one or more fitting portions 132a-d (also sometimes referred to as collars 132a-d) that are joined to one another along boundaries 135a-c. For example, fitting portion 132a and fitting portion 132b are coupled together between boundary 135a, fitting portion 132b and fitting portion 132c are coupled together between boundary 135b, and fitting portion 132c and fitting portion 132d are coupled together between boundary 135c.

[0054] The fitting portions 132a-d may be formed in any suitable shape, such as a generally circular shape, a generally square shape, a generally rectangular shape, a generally triangular shape, or other suitable polygonal shape. In some embodiments, the fitting portions 132a-d may be different shapes. In some embodiments, the fitting portions 132a-d may be generally the same shape as the overall flange 112. For example, the flange 112 and the fitting portions 132a-d may be a generally circular shape as best seen in FIG. 7. The flange 112 may define a void 137 between the first end 123 and the second end 126, as best seen in FIG. 8.

[0055] FIGS. 9-10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pipe boot flange 112 along axis 9-9 shown in FIG. 7 according to some embodiments. The flange 112 may be configured to fit a plurality of different pipe 14 sizes. In some embodiments, the flange 112 may be adjusted to fit pipes 14 between 1.25-4 diameter pipes just to provide a non-limiting example. As the pipe 14 diameter increases, the fitting portions 132a-d are removed to fit tightly to those pipe 14 sizes, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0056] In one example, the diaphragm gate 118 may be removed from the first end 123 of the flange 112 and the flange 112 may be placed over a pipe 14 having a first size. If the void 137 is not large enough to fit the pipe 14, a user may then remove one or more of the fitting portions 132a-d by cutting and/or ripping the boundary 135a-c between the fitting portions 132a-d. For example, a user may cut along boundary 135a and remove fitting portion 132a such that the flange 112 can be placed over a pipe 14.

[0057] Each of the fitting portions 132a-d define a tab 139a-d. Each of the tabs 139a-d have a first portion 141a-d and a second portion 144a-d configured to engage the pipe 14 such that the flange 112 is securely fit over the pipe to prevent the flange 112 from moving and also to prevent water, debris, etc. from entering the void 137 and potentially leaking through the roof 11. In some embodiments, the fitting portions 132a-d have a wall angle that may be between about 1 to 3 degrees off the vertical (i.e., the Y-axis illustrated in FIG. 9). In some embodiments, the wall angle of the fitting portions 132a-d may be about 2 degrees off of the vertical Y-axis.

[0058] Referring back to FIG. 7, the boundaries 135a-c may be about 90 from the vertical Y-axis, which may allow a cutting tool to be guided and thus a straighter cut will be achieved. The result is a geometry that provides a tight seal against the pipe 14 minimizing chances for leaks along the edge of the flange 112 in contact with the pipe 14.

[0059] FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of an injection molding tool 200 in accordance with some embodiments. The tool 200 may include one or more mold cavities 202a-b. Each of the mold cavities 202a-b extend between a top section 204a-b and a bottom section 206a-b, respectively. Each of the top sections 204a-b are connected to a respective resin injection portion 208a-b with the runners 120a-b of the diaphragm gates 118a-b. Using a diaphragm gate 118a-b, creates an even distribution of resin throughout the mold cavities 202a-b, and reduces or eliminates the weld lines 20 in the manufactured pipe boot flange 112. It should be appreciated that gate 118 is the part of the molding tool 200 were the liquid plastic flows into the mold cavities 202a-b. These gates 118a-b are removed after the molding process since they have no functional value for the formed flanges 112, so it is considered scrap material.

[0060] FIG. 12 illustrates a detail view of the injection mold tool 200 from detail 12 shown in FIG. 11 in accordance with some embodiments. In use, the tool 200 injects resin into the mold through the resin injection portion 208a, through the runner 120, and to the diaphragm gate 118a such that resin uniformly fills the mold cavity 202a circumferentially, progressing from top to bottom of the cavity.

[0061] FIGS. 13A-13F are time sequences illustrating a mold cavity 202 forming a pipe boot flange 112 in accordance with some embodiments. During the manufacturing process, the resin may flow through the runner 120, through the diaphragm gate 118, and to the mold cavity 202a-b, as discussed above. As best seen in FIGS. 13A-F, the resin may flow through the mold cavity 202a-b such that it is evenly dispersed (circumferentially within the mold cavity) during the manufacturing process to form a flange 112. For example, the resin may flow through the mold cavity 202 circumferentially such that there is an even distribution of resin over time, as best seen when looking at FIGS. 13A-F sequentially. The uniform flow throughout the mold cavities 202a-b may remove the potential for weld lines 20 that result from the spaced multi-gate approach discussed above in connection with FIGS. 3-5.

[0062] FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a formed pipe boot flange 112 in accordance with some embodiments. Once the pipe boot flange 112 is formed, the flange 112 may be removed from the injection molding tool 200. As best seen in FIG. 14, the diaphragm gate 118 is still connected to the flange 112 by land 151. The land 151 is a short, straight section connecting the outer surface of the flange 112 to the runner 120. The thinner the land 151, the easier it is for gate 118 removal. A benefit of this manufacturing process is that the land 151 length is relatively thin compared to a multi-gate process discussed above. As best seen in FIG. 15, the land 151 depth (D) and length (L) are relatively small such that it is easy to be removed from the flange 112. In some embodiments, the diaphragm gate 118 thickness may be on the order of about 0.01 inch (in.) thick, with a land 151 length of approximately 0.030 in. long.

[0063] FIG. 16 illustrates an isometric view of a pipe boot flange 112 coupled to a pipe 14 in accordance with some embodiments. Once the flange 112 is removed from the injection molding tool 200, a user may remove the diaphragm gate 118 by cutting, ripping, etc. along the land 151 connected to fitting portion 132a. Depending on the size of the pipe 14, a user may then also remove one or more of the fitting portions 132a-d from the flange 112 by cutting, ripping, etc. along the respective boundary 135a-c so that the void 137 of the flange 112 can fit over the pipe 14. Using FIG. 16 as an example, fitting portion 132a may be removed by cutting, ripping, etc. along boundary 135a to enlarge the void 137 such that it can fit snuggly over pipe 14.

[0064] FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pipe boot flange 112 engaged with the pipe 14 in accordance with some embodiments. With the flange 112 fitted over the pipe 14, the tabs 139a-c will engage the pipe 14 to provide a seal against the pipe 14 and prevent intrusion of water or other debris between the flange 112 and the pipe 14. For example, with the fitting portion 132a removed, tab 139b engages the pipe 14 such that the second portion 144b is pressed against the pipe 14, preventing water or other debris from intruding between the pipe 14 and the flange 112. In some embodiments, the tab 139b may be pressed against the pipe 14 such that the second portion 144b is substantially vertical or parallel to the Y-axis illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9.

[0065] FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary second pipe boot flange 300, and FIG. 19 illustrates a bottom view of the second pipe boot flange 300 in accordance with some embodiments. The pipe boot flange 300 may include the same or similar features as pipe boot flange 112 discussed above, and thus similar disclosure is not repeated for brevity.

[0066] The second pipe boot flange 300 may include an attachment member 305 coupled to the second end 126 of the flange 300. The attachment member 305 may define one or more fastener towers 309a-d. The fastener towers 309a-d may be sized and configured to receive a fastener (e.g., screw, nail, clip, bolt, etc.) to couple the flange 300 to a surface, such as the roof 11 illustrated in FIG. 1, the base 116 illustrated in FIG. 6, or other suitable surface such that the flange 300 is secured over the pipe 14. For example, fasteners may be used to couple the flange 300 to a surface by inserting the fasteners through the fastener towers 309a-d by puncturing the pipe boot flange 300 material at the top end of the fastener towers 309a-d, inserting the fasteners through the fastener tower 309a-d, and engaging the coupling surface, such as the base 116 or the roof 11.

[0067] FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary method 400 of forming a pipe boot flange 112 or 300 in accordance with some embodiments. The method 400 may start at step 402. The method 400 may include step 404 comprising injecting a flow of resin through a runner 120 and into a diaphragm gate 118 of a mold cavity 202a-b for a pipe boot flange 112, 300. The method 400 may include step 406 comprising directing the resin through the mold cavity 202a-b. The method 400 may include step 408 comprising forming the pipe boot flange 112, 300. The method 400 may include step 410 comprising removing the formed pipe boot flange 112, 300 from the mold cavity 202a-b. The method 400 may end at step 412.

[0068] In some embodiments, the resin may be uniformly directed through the mold cavity 202a-b circumferentially. In some embodiments, the formed pipe boot flange 112, 300 may be formed as a unitary molded body without vertical weld lines 20 formed therein. In some embodiments, the method 400 may include removing the diaphragm gate 118 from the formed pipe boot flange 112, 300.

[0069] FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary method 500 of installing a pipe boot flange 112, 300 in accordance with some embodiments. The method 500 may start at step 502. The method 500 may include step 504 comprising providing a pipe boot flange 112, 300 formed as described herein, e.g., using the method of FIG. 20. The method 500 may include step 506 comprising adjusting a size of the pipe boot flange 112 (as needed) based on a size of a pipe 14, i.e., by making a cut at a selected boundary 135a-c such that the remaining fitting portions 132a-d will fit tightly against the surface of the pipe 14. The method 500 may include step 508 comprising placing the pipe boot flange 112, 300 over the pipe 14. The method 500 may end at step 510.

[0070] In some embodiments, the method 500 may include securing a base 116 to a roof 11 with one or more fasteners. In some embodiments, the method 500 may include coupling the pipe boot flange 112, 300 to the base 116 with one or more fasteners, a crimping tool, or an overmolding manufacturing process.

[0071] It may be emphasized that the above-described embodiments, particularly any preferred embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure.

[0072] While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any disclosures, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0073] Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments.

[0074] Although the disclosure has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the disclosure, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the disclosure.