Used beverage container aluminum composition and method

Abstract

An aluminum alloy and recycle method are provided in which the recycled used beverage containers form an alloy composition useful with relatively minor compositional adjustments for body stock.

Claims

1. A container, comprising: a body and an end, the end comprising a connector to a tab for opening the container, wherein the body and end each comprise an aluminum alloy having from about 0.55 to about 0.90 wt. % manganese, wherein the aluminum alloy of the body comprises from about 1.4 to about 1.8 wt. % magnesium and wherein the aluminum alloy of the end comprises from about 3.25 to about 5 wt. % magnesium.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the aluminum alloys of the body and end having a difference in manganese content of no more than about 0.1 wt. %.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the body and end each comprise an aluminum alloy having from about 0.60 to about 0.85 wt. % manganese.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the aluminum alloy of the body comprises from about 1.5 to about 1.7 wt. % magnesium.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the aluminum alloy of the body comprises from about 1.5 to about 1.6 wt. % magnesium.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the aluminum alloy of the end comprises from about 3.4 to about 4.25 wt. % magnesium.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the aluminum alloy of the end comprises from about 3.4 to about 4.25 wt. % magnesium.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein the aluminum alloy of the end comprises from about 3.5 to about 4.0 wt. % magnesium.

9. The container of claim 4, wherein the aluminum alloy of the end comprises from about 3.4 to about 4.25 wt. % magnesium.

10. A container, comprising: a body and an end, the end comprising a connector to a tab for opening the container, wherein the body and end each comprise an aluminum alloy having from about 0.60 to about 0.85 wt. % manganese, wherein the aluminum alloy of the body comprises from about 1.5 to about 1.7 wt. % magnesium and wherein the aluminum alloy of the end comprises from about 3.4 to about 4.25 wt. % magnesium.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the aluminum alloy of the body comprises from about 0.22 to about 0.29 wt. % silicon.

12. The container of claim 10, wherein the aluminum alloy of the body comprises from about 0.33 to about 0.39 wt. % iron.

13. The container of claim 10, wherein the aluminum alloy of the body comprises from about 0.28 to about 0.33 wt. % copper.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification to illustrate several examples of the present disclosure. These drawings, together with the description, explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings simply illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how the disclosure can be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure to only the illustrated and described examples. Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following, more detailed, description of the various aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure, as illustrated by the drawings referenced below.

(2) FIG. 1A is a side view of a container according to an embodiment;

(3) FIG. 1B is a top view of the container;

(4) FIG. 1C is a bottom view of the container;

(5) FIG. 2 is a flow chart according to an embodiment; and

(6) FIG. 3 is a flow chart according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The present disclosure is directed, in various embodiments, to an aluminum alloy composition of a container that, when melted, can be used for both body and end stock.

(8) With reference to FIGS. 1A-C, the container 100 includes a cylindrical body 104 and bottom 108 formed from body stock and an end 112 and tab 116 formed from end stock. The end 112 includes a scored mouth flap 120. The tab 116 is fastened to the end 112 by a connector 124 (which is typically a bubble or dimple) about which the tab 116 rotates in response to a user's digit gripping the end of the tab 116 at the hole 128. The end of the tab 116, in response, applies pressure to the mouth flap 120, which breaks at the score lines from the end 112 and bends inwards into the container, thereby opening the contents of the container for user access. Typically, the end 112 and tab 116 constitute from about 25 to about 30 wt. % of the container 100, with the body 104 and bottom 108 constituting the remainder.

(9) In one formulation, the body 104 and bottom 108 are formed from body stock having commonly from about 0.75 to about 1 wt %, more commonly from about 0.80 to about 0.95 wt. %, and even more commonly from about 0.85 to about 0.90 wt. % manganese and commonly from about 1.1 to about 1.6 wt %, more commonly from about 1.15 to about 1.55 wt. %, more commonly from about 1.2 to about 1.60 wt. %, more commonly from about 1.25 to about 1.55 wt. %, and even more commonly from about 1.3 to about 1.5 wt. % magnesium. The formulation can include other components, including commonly from about 0.22 to about 0.29 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.25 to about 0.28 wt. % silicon, commonly from about 0.33 to about 0.39 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.35 to about 0.38 wt. % iron, commonly from about 0.28 to about 0.33 wt. % and even more commonly from about 0.29 to about 0.32 wt. % copper, and commonly no more than about 5 wt. % impurities, with the balance being aluminum.

(10) In one formulation, the body 104 and bottom 108 are formed from body stock having commonly from about 0.55 to about 0.90 wt %, more commonly from about 0.60 to about 0.85 wt. %, more commonly from about 0.65 to about 0.84 wt. %, more commonly from about 0.65 to about 0.80 wt. %, and even more commonly from about 0.65 to about 0.75 wt. % manganese and commonly from about 1.4 to about 1.8 wt %, more commonly from about 1.45 to about 1.75 wt. %, more commonly from more than 1.5 to about 1.70 wt. %, and even more commonly from about 1.5 to about 1.6 wt. % magnesium. The formulation can include other components, including commonly from about 0.22 to about 0.29 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.25 to about 0.28 wt. % silicon, commonly from about 0.33 to about 0.39 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.35 to about 0.38 wt. % iron, commonly from about 0.28 to about 0.33 wt. % and even more commonly from about 0.29 to about 0.32 wt. % copper, and commonly no more than about 5 wt. % impurities, with the balance being aluminum.

(11) In one formulation, the body 104 and bottom 108 are formed from body stock having commonly from about 0.25 to about 0.50 wt %, more commonly from about 0.30 to about 0.45 wt. %, and even more commonly from about 0.35 to about 0.40 wt. % manganese and commonly from about 1.5 to about 2.25 wt %, more commonly from about 1.60 to about 2.10 wt. %, more commonly from more than 1.70 to about 2.00 wt. %, and even more commonly from about 1.80 to about 2.00 wt. % magnesium. The formulation can include other components, including commonly from about 0.22 to about 0.29 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.25 to about 0.28 wt. % silicon, commonly from about 0.33 to about 0.39 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.35 to about 0.38 wt. % iron, commonly from about 0.28 to about 0.33 wt. % and even more commonly from about 0.29 to about 0.32 wt. % copper, and commonly no more than about 5 wt. % impurities, with the balance being aluminum.

(12) As will be appreciated, other aluminum alloys, particularly the AA 3000 and 5000 series alloys, may be used for the body stock.

(13) An aluminum alloy product produced from this alloy commonly has an as-rolled (and before coating) and as coated (after coating) yield strength of at least about 11 ksi, more commonly ranging from about 20 to about 40 ksi, and even more commonly ranging from about 30 to about 40 ksi, an as-rolled (and before coating) and as coated (after coating) tensile strength of at least about 11 ksi, more commonly ranging from about 20 to about 44 ksi, and even more commonly ranging from about 30 to about 43 ksi, an elongation (180 degree directionality) of at least about 2%, even more commonly of at least about 2.5%, and even more commonly of at least about 3%, and/or an earing of less than about 1.8%. As will be appreciated, “earing” is typically measured by the 45 degree earing or 45 degree rolling texture. Forty-five degrees refers to the position of the aluminum alloy sheet which is 45 degrees relative to the rolling direction. The value for the 45 degree earing is determined by measuring the height of the ears which stick up in a cup, minus the height of valleys between the ears. The difference is divided by the height of the valleys and multiplied by 100 to convert to a percentage. A container body formed from the alloy product generally has a buckle strength ranging from about 65 to about 110 psi, more generally from about 70 to about 105 psi, and even more generally from about 85 to about 100 psi and a column strength of at least about 180 psi.

(14) In one formulation, the end 112 and tab 116 are formed from end stock having commonly from about 0.55 to about 0.90 wt. %, more commonly from about 0.60 to about 0.85 wt. %, more commonly from about 0.65 to about 0.80 wt. %, and even more commonly from about 0.65 to about 0.75 wt. % manganese and commonly from about 4 to about 5.5 wt %, more commonly from about 4.25 to about 5.25 wt. %, and even more commonly from about 4.5 to about 5 wt. % magnesium. The formulation can include other components, including commonly from about 0 to about 0.20 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.05 to about 0.20 wt. % silicon, commonly from about 0 to about 0.29 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.10 to about 0.28 wt. % iron, commonly from about 0.09 to about 0.11 wt. % and even more commonly from about 0.095 to about 0.105 wt. % copper, and commonly no more than about 5 wt. % impurities, with the balance being aluminum.

(15) In one formulation, the end 112 and tab 116 are formed from end stock having commonly from about 0.25 to about 0.5 wt %, more commonly from about 0.27 to about 0.45 wt. %, more commonly from about 0.29 to about 0.40 wt. %, and even more commonly from about 0.30 to about 0.35 wt. % manganese and commonly from about 4 to about 5.5 wt %, more commonly from about 4.25 to about 5.25 wt. %, and even more commonly from about 4.5 to about 5 wt. % magnesium. The formulation can include other components, including commonly from about 0 to about 0.20 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.05 to about 0.20 wt. % silicon, commonly from about 0 to about 0.29 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.10 to about 0.28 wt. % iron, commonly from about 0.09 to about 0.11 wt. % and even more commonly from about 0.095 to about 0.105 wt. % copper, and commonly no more than about 5 wt. % impurities, with the balance being aluminum.

(16) In one formulation (which is particularly useful using non-EB coatings), the end 112 and tab 116 are formed from end stock having commonly from about 0.55 to about 0.90 wt %, more commonly from about 0.60 to about 0.85 wt. %, more commonly from about 0.65 to about 0.80 wt. %, and even more commonly from about 0.65 to about 0.75 wt. % manganese and commonly from about 4 to about 5 wt %, more commonly from about 4.25 to about 4.80 wt. %, and even more commonly from about 4.5 to about 4.80 wt. % magnesium. The formulation can include other components, including commonly from about 0 to about 0.20 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.05 to about 0.20 wt. % silicon, commonly from about 0 to about 0.29 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.10 to about 0.28 wt. % iron, commonly from about 0.09 to about 0.11 wt. % and even more commonly from about 0.095 to about 0.105 wt. % copper, and commonly no more than about 5 wt. % impurities, with the balance being aluminum.

(17) In one formulation (which is particularly useful using EB coatings), the end 112 and tab 116 are formed from end stock having commonly from about 0.55 to about 0.90 wt %, more commonly from about 0.60 to about 0.85 wt. %, more commonly from about 0.65 to about 0.80 wt. %, and even more commonly from about 0.65 to about 0.75 wt. % manganese and commonly from about 3.25 to about 4.5 wt %, more commonly from about 3.4 to about 4.25 wt. %, more commonly from about 3.5 to about 4.00 wt %, and even more commonly from about 3.6 to less than 3.8 wt. % magnesium. The formulation can include other components, including commonly from about 0 to about 0.20 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.05 to about 0.20 wt. % silicon, commonly from about 0 to about 0.29 wt. % and more commonly from about 0.10 to about 0.28 wt. % iron, commonly from about 0.09 to about 0.11 wt. % and even more commonly from about 0.095 to about 0.105 wt. % copper, and commonly no more than about 5 wt. % impurities, with the balance being aluminum.

(18) Other end stock alloys may be employed. For making aluminum alloy products suitable for shaping into food container bodies or food or beverage container end panels, other AA 5000 series alloys include AA 5352, AA 5042, and AA 5017.

(19) An aluminum alloy product produced from the above end stock alloy compositions commonly has an as-rolled (and before coating) and as coated (after coating) yield strength of at least about 15 ksi, more commonly ranging from about 25 to about 53 ksi, and even more commonly ranging from about 35 to about 53 ksi, an as-rolled (and before coating) and as coated (after coating) tensile strength of at least about 22 ksi, even more commonly ranging from about 30 to about 60 ksi, and even more commonly ranging from about 40 to about 60 ksi, and/or an elongation (45 degree directionality) of at least about 2%, even more commonly at least about 2.5%, and even more commonly of at least about 3%. The product commonly has a tab strength of at least about 2 kg, more commonly at least about 5 pounds, (i.e., about 2.3 kg), and even more commonly at least about 6 pounds (i.e., about 2.7 kg), and preferably no more than about 3.6 kg and most preferably no more than about 8 pounds (i.e., about 3.6 kg).

(20) In one formulation, the manganese content of the body 104 and 108, end 112, and tab 116 is substantially the same, more commonly has a difference of no more than about 0.1 wt. %, more commonly a difference of no more than about 0.05 wt. %, and even more commonly a difference of no more than about 0.01 wt. %.

(21) Using the above formulations, the amount of the melt that can be formed from UBC's for use as body stock commonly is at least about 65 wt. %, more commonly at least about 70 wt. %, more commonly at least about 75 wt. %, more commonly at least about 80 wt. %, more commonly at least about 85 wt. %, more commonly at least about 90 wt. %, more commonly at least about 95 wt. %, and even more commonly at least about 99 wt. %. The amount of the melt that can be formed from UBC's for use as end stock commonly is at least about 65 wt. %, more commonly at least about 70 wt. %, more commonly at least about 75 wt. %, more commonly at least about 80 wt. %, more commonly at least about 85 wt. %, more commonly at least about 90 wt. %, more commonly at least about 95 wt. %, and even more commonly at least about 97.5 wt. %. In either case, the amount of the melt that is formed from prime (or new) aluminum feedstock is typically no more than about 40 wt. %, more typically no more than about 35 wt. %, more typically no more than about 30 wt. %, more typically no more than about 25 wt. %, more typically no more than about 20 wt. %, more typically no more than about 15 wt. %, more typically no more than about 10 wt. %, and even more typically no more than about 15 wt. %, more typically no more than about 5 wt. %.

(22) To achieve these properties, the fabrication process must account for the different levels of manganese and magnesium compared to conventional alloy chemistry. For body stock, the level of manganese is generally lower than conventional body stock alloy chemistry; therefore, a higher magnesium level is used to maintain the desired physical and mechanical properties. For end and tab stock, the level of manganese is generally elevated compared to conventional end and tab stock; therefore a lower magnesium level is used to maintain the desired physical and mechanical properties. Higher magnesium levels must be taken into account in the body stock fabrication process to avoid an increase of tear offs in the body maker and control neck and flange issues. Higher manganese levels must be taken into account in the end and tab stock fabrication process to maintain satisfactory connector 124 formation and avoid tab fracture and tongue tears.

(23) A fabrication process that is particularly useful for body stock is shown in FIG. 3.

(24) A molten aluminum feedstock 300, formed primarily from UBC's, is continuously or discontinuously cast, such as by direct chill casting, ingot casting, belt casting, roll casting, or block casting, in step 304 to produce a cast sheet. In one configuration, the melt is then cast through a nozzle and discharged into the casting cavity. The nozzle can include a long, narrow tip to constrain the molten metal as it exits the nozzle. The nozzle tip has a preferred thickness ranging from about 10 to about 25 millimeters, more preferably from about 14 to about 24 millimeters, and most preferably from about 14 to about 19 millimeters and a width ranging from about 254 millimeters to about 2160 millimeters. The cast sheet typically has a gauge ranging from about 16 to about 19 mm and has an exit temperature ranging from about 800 to about 950 degrees Fahrenheit.

(25) In step 308, the cast sheet is hot rolled, typically by a multi-stand hot mill, to form hot rolled sheet having a gauge ranging from about 0.065 to about 0.110 inches and an input temperature ranging from about 700 to about 850 degrees Fahrenheit and an exit temperature ranging from about 550 to about 650 degrees Fahrenheit.

(26) The hot rolled sheet, in step 312 is optionally hot mill annealed, such as in a solenoidal heater, induction heater, transflux induction furnace, infrared heater, or gas-fired heater, typically at a temperature ranging from about 700 to about 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and more typically ranging from about 700 to about 850 degrees Fahrenheit for a soak time ranging from about 3 to about 5 hours. The resulting hot mill annealed sheet is air-cooled to ambient temperature, which typically ranges from about 100 to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

(27) The cooled, hot mill annealed sheet, in step 316, is cold rolled, typically by a multi-stand cold mill, to form a partially cold rolled sheet having a gauge commonly ranging from about 0.012 to about 0.045 inches and more commonly from about 0.015 to about 0.045 inches.

(28) The partially cold rolled sheet, in step 320, is optionally intermediate annealed, such as in a solenoidal heater, induction heater, transflux induction furnace, infrared heater, or gas-fired heater, typically at a temperature ranging from about 650 to about 800 degrees Fahrenheit and more typically at a temperature ranging from about 700 to about 750 degrees Fahrenheit for a soak time ranging from about 3 to about 5 hours to form an intermediate annealed sheet. The intermediate annealed sheet is air cooled to ambient temperature.

(29) The intermediate annealed sheet, in step 324, is subjected to further cold rolling to a finish gauge commonly ranging from about 0.008 to about 0.025 inches and even more commonly from about 0.0055 to about 0.025 inches.

(30) The further cold rolled sheet is stabilize annealed in step 328, such as in a solenoidal heater, induction heater, transflux induction furnace, infrared heater, or gas-fired heater, at a temperature typically ranging from about 250 to about 550 degrees Fahrenheit, more typically ranging from about 275 to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and even more typically ranging from about 300 to about 450 degrees Fahrenheit for a soak time ranging from about 3 to about 5 hours to form an aluminum alloy product 332.

(31) The aluminum alloy product 332 can be drawn and ironed to form a container body.

(32) A fabrication process that is particularly useful for end and tab stock is shown in FIG. 2.

(33) A molten aluminum feedstock 300, formed primarily from UBC's, is continuously or discontinuously cast, such as by direct chill casting, ingot casting, belt casting, roll casting, or block casting, in step 304 to produce a cast sheet. The cast sheet typically has a gauge ranging from about 16 to about 19 mm and has an exit temperature ranging from about 800 to about 950 degrees Fahrenheit.

(34) In step 200, the cast sheet is hot rolled, typically by a multi-stand hot mill, to form hot rolled sheet having a gauge ranging from about 0.065 to about 0.110 inches and an exit temperature ranging from about 550 to about 650 degrees Fahrenheit.

(35) The hot rolled sheet, in step 204, is cold rolled, typically by a multi-stand cold mill, to form a partially cold rolled sheet having a gauge ranging from about 0.065 to about 0.115 inches.

(36) The partially cold rolled sheet, in step 208, is subjected to further cold rolling to a further cold rolled gauge commonly ranging from about 0.012 to about 0.045 inches and more commonly from about 0.015 to about 0.045 inches.

(37) The further cold rolled sheet is optionally stabilize annealed in step 212, such as in a solenoidal heater, induction heater, transflux induction furnace, infrared heater, or gas-fired heater, at a temperature typically ranging from about 250 to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, more typically ranging from about 275 to about 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and even more typically ranging from about 300 to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a soak time ranging from about 3 to about 5 hours.

(38) The stabilized annealed sheet, in step 216, is coated by a suitable process.

(39) In one coating process, the stabilized annealed sheet is cleaned and chemically treated, optionally dried in an oven, optionally primed, coated, and thermally (oven) cured to form a coated sheet.

(40) In another coating process, the stabilized annealed sheet is cleaned and chemically treated, coated with a suitable (e.g., food-grade) electron beam (“EB”) and/or ultraviolet (“UV”) curable coating composition, and EB or UV cured to form a coated sheet. Radiation curable polymer precursors are monomeric and/or oligomeric materials, such as acrylics, methacrylates, epoxies, polyesters, polyols, glycols, silicones, urethanes, vinyl ethers, and combinations thereof which have been modified to include functional groups and optionally photoinitiators that trigger polymerization, commonly cross-linking, upon application of UV or EB radiant energy. Radiation curable polymer precursors are monomeric and/or oligimeric materials such as acrylics, acrylates, acrylic acid, alkenes, allyl amines, amides, bisphenol A diglycidylether, butadiene monoxide, carboxylates, dienes, epoxies, ethylenes, ethyleneglycol diglycidylether, fluorinated alkenes, fumaric acid and esters thereof, glycols, glycidol, itaconic acid and esters thereof, maleic anhydride, methacrylates, methacrylonitriles, methacrylic acid, polyesters, polyols, propylenes, silicones, styrenes, styrene oxide, urethanes, vinyl ethers, vinyl halides, vinylidene halides, vinylcyclohexene oxide, conducting polymers such as dimethylallyl phosphonate, organometallic compounds including metal alkoxides (such as titanates, tin alkoxides, zirconates, and alkoxides of germanium and erbium), and combinations thereof, which have been modified to include functional groups and optionally photoinitiators that trigger polymerization upon the application of ultraviolet (UV) or electron beam (EB) radiant energy. Such polymer precursors include acrylated aliphatic oligomers, acrylated aromatic oligomers, acrylated epoxy monomers, acrylated epoxy oligomers, aliphatic epoxy acrylates, aliphatic urethane acrylates, aliphatic urethane methacrylates, allyl methacrylate, amine-modified oligoether acrylates, amine-modified polyether acrylates, aromatic acid acrylate, aromatic epoxy acrylates, aromatic urethane methacrylates, butylene glycol acrylate, silanes, silicones, stearyl acrylate, cycloaliphatic epoxides, cyclohexyl methacrylate, dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylates, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, epoxy methacrylates, epoxy soy bean acrylates, fluoroalkyl (meth)acrylates, glycidyl methacrylate, hexanediol dimethacrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, isodecyl acrylate, isoctyl acrylate, oligoether acrylates, polybutadiene diacrylate, polyester acrylate monomers, polyester acrylate oligomers, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, stearyl methacylate, triethylene glycol diacetate, trimethoxysilyl propyl methacrylate, and vinyl ethers. A typical curable coating composition includes from about 30 to about 60 wt. % reactive oligomer and from about 20 to about 40 wt. % reactive monomers.

(41) Any suitable EB source may be employed, with scanning electron beam, continuous electron beam, and continuous compact electron beam EB sources being common. A typical EB source includes a high voltage supply that provides power to an electron gun assembly, positioned within an optional vacuum chamber having a foil window for passing electrons. Many coatings require a low oxygen environment during EB curing to cure or polymerize the coating. In such cases, nitrogen gas is pumped into the chamber to displace oxygen. Suitably positioned rollers positioned at the entrance and exit guide the movement of the sheet through the device. An exemplary EB source is disclosed in copending U.S. Ser. No. 12/401,269, filed Mar. 10, 2009, which is incorporated herein by this reference. Another EB source is manufactured by RPC Industries.

(42) Compared to conventional coating lines with high temperature thermal curing, the lower temperature EB or UV coating process discussed above is commonly substantially free of recrystallization and sheet deformaties and can maintain mechanical properties of the stabilize annealed sheet substantially constant throughout the coating process. By way of illustration, a conventional coating line cures in a radiant oven at a temperature typically of at least about 350° F. and even more typically ranging from about 400° F. to 500° F. (peak metal temperature) (which can be above the recrystallization temperature of the aluminum alloy), compared to a temperature increase typically of no more than about 50° F., even more typically of no more than about 25° F., even more typically of no more than about 10° F., and even more typically of no more than about 5° F. in the EB or UV coating and curing steps.

(43) The coated sheet, in step 220, is slit to form an aluminum alloy product 224.

(44) A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of the disclosure without providing others.

(45) The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and configurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations, subcombinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the various aspects, aspects, embodiments, and configurations, after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and configurations hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation.

(46) The foregoing discussion of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more, aspects, embodiments, and configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and configurations other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspects, embodiments, and configurations. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

(47) Moreover, though the description of the disclosure has included description of one or more aspects, embodiments, or configurations and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.