CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/719,391, filed on Nov. 12, 2024, entitled Carrier for Containers.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosures of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/719,391, filed on Nov. 12, 2024, entitled Carrier for Containers, is hereby incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to cartons or carriers for holding, displaying, and/or transporting containers.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising a front portion, the front portion comprising a front portion of an attachment panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one front side panel, and a front top panel foldably connected to the at least one front side panel. The carrier comprising a back portion, the back portion comprising a back portion of the attachment panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one back side panel, a back top panel foldably connected to the at least one back side panel, and a first reinforcement panel. The carrier comprising a reinforcement portion extending from the front portion to the back portion for reinforcing the carrier. The reinforcement portion comprising at least the first reinforcement panel having container retention features for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers, the container retention features comprising a plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the first reinforcement panel.

According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising a front portion for forming a front portion of the carrier, a back portion for forming a back portion of the carrier, and a reinforcement portion for forming a reinforcement portion of the carrier extending from the front portion of the carrier to the back portion of the carrier for reinforcing the carrier formed from the blank. The front portion of the blank comprising a front portion of an attachment panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers in the carrier formed from the blank, at least one front side panel, and a front top panel foldably connected to the at least one front side panel. The back portion of the blank comprising a back portion of the attachment panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers in the carrier formed from the blank, at least one back side panel, a back top panel foldably connected to the at least one back side panel, and a first reinforcement panel. The reinforcement portion of the blank comprising at least the first reinforcement panel having container retention features for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers in the carrier formed from the blank, the container retention features comprising a plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the first reinforcement panel.

According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising obtaining a blank. The blank comprising a front portion, and a back portion, and a reinforcement portion. The front portion of the blank comprising a front portion of an attachment panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one front side panel, and a front top panel foldably connected to the at least one front side panel. The back portion of the blank comprising a back portion of the attachment panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one back side panel, a back top panel foldably connected to the at least one back side panel, and a first reinforcement panel having container retention features for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers. The container retention features comprise a plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the first reinforcement panel. The method includes positioning the front portion of the blank to form a front portion of the carrier and positioning the back portion of the blank to form a back portion of the carrier, and forming a reinforcement portion of the carrier from the reinforcement portion of the blank that extends from the front portion of the carrier to the back portion of the carrier to reinforce the carrier. The forming the reinforcement portion comprises positioning the first reinforcement panel with the container retention tabs in engagement with a respective container of the plurality of containers.

According to another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a package comprising a plurality of containers and a carrier holding the plurality of containers. The carrier comprises a front portion comprising a front portion of an attachment panel at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one front side panel, and a front top panel foldably connected to the at least one front side panel. The carrier has a back portion comprising a back portion of the attachment panel at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one back side panel, a back top panel foldably connected to the at least one back side panel, and a first reinforcement panel. The carrier includes a reinforcement portion extending from the front portion to the back portion for reinforcing the carrier. The reinforcement portion comprising at least the first reinforcement panel having container retention features at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers. The container retention features comprise a plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the first reinforcement panel.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the above-discussed aspects be provided both individually and in various combinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an outer surface of a blank for forming a package and carrier according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 1A-1E are an enlarged views of respective portions of the blank of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2-4 are sequential perspective views of a formation of a package and carrier from the blank of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a package and carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

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

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

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

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an exterior side 101 of a blank 103 used to form a carrier 105 (FIG. 5) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the carrier 105 is sized to contain or support four containers B, with two containers B being attached to a front portion 106 of the carrier 105 and two containers B being attached to a back portion 108 of the carrier 105.

With momentary reference to FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, containers B for use with carriers according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be bottles, e.g., plastic bottles formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or another polymer, and having a body that includes lower and middle portions in a generally elongate vertical configuration, and having upper portions that include an at least partially tapered neck portion N intersecting a flange F that at least partially supports a cap or top portion T. In some embodiments, the neck portion N can have a rounded/bump or disc-like configuration, and the top portion T can have a frustoconical configuration that can receive a metallic foil or other covering thereover. In other embodiments, the containers B could be beverage cans or another suitable type and size of container.

The carrier 105 can be sized and shaped to hold more or less than four containers. In one embodiment, the front portion 106 and the back portion 108 of the carrier 105 each have two containers B, and in other embodiments, the front portion 106 and the back portion 108 of the carrier 105 can carry more or less than two containers without departing from the disclosure. The carrier 105 can be provided together with one or more containers B as a package 110 (FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 1, the blank 103 has a longitudinal axis L1 and a lateral axis L2. The blank 103 has a front portion 107 for forming the front portion 106 of the carrier 105, a back portion 109 for forming the back portion 108 of the carrier 105, and a central or reinforcement portion 111 for forming a central or reinforcement portion 113 of the carrier 105 extending from the front portion 106 of the carrier 105 to the back portion 108 of the carrier 105 for reinforcing the carrier 105.

The blank 103 can include a plurality of panels that can include a container retention panel or attachment panel 121 that has a front portion 121a, a back portion 121b, and a central portion 121c positioned at least partially between the front portion 121a and the back portion 121b, as described further herein.

A front lower side panel 123a (broadly, “first side panel” or “front side panel”) can be foldably connected to the attachment panel 121 at a lateral fold line 125a, and the front lower side panel 123a can be foldably connected to a front upper side panel or front outer side panel 127a at a lateral fold line 129a.

In some embodiments, the lower side panel 123a can be considered a portion of a side panel along with the upper side panel 127a. In other embodiments, the panel 123a can be considered a portion of or otherwise associated with the attachment panel 121 such that the panel 127a is a side panel separately from the panel 123a.

A front top panel 131a can be foldably connected to the side panel 131a at a lateral fold line 133a, and the top panel 131a can be foldably connected to a front inner side panel 135a at a lateral fold line 137a. A front reinforcement panel 139a (broadly “second reinforcement panel”), as shown, can be foldably connected to the inner side panel 135a.

In some embodiments, it will be understood that the side panels 127a, 135a and top panel 131a can be considered portions of a panel. In some embodiments, the side panel 123a and/or the reinforcement panel 139a can be considered a respective portion of such panel.

The blank 103 and the carrier 105 formed therefrom can also include container retention features for at least partially receiving a respective container B of the plurality of containers B. As shown in FIG. 1, container retention features 143a can be positioned at least partially along the attachment panel 121, container retention features 163a can be at least partially positioned along the side panel 127a, and container retention features 164a can be at least partially positioned along the side panel 135a.

In some embodiments, a pair of container retention features 143a can be provided in laterally spaced apart relation and can at least partially extend into the side panel 123a so as to at least partially interrupt the fold line 125a. In some embodiments, a pair of container retention features 163a can be provided in laterally spaced apart relation and can at least partially extend into the top panel 131a so as to at least partially interrupt the fold line 133a. In some embodiments, a pair of container retention features 164a can be provided in laterally spaced apart relation and can at least partially extend into the top panel 131a so as to at least partially interrupt the fold line 133a.

With additional reference to FIG. 1A, the container retention features 143a can include a container opening or container retention opening 145a at least partially defined in the attachment panel 121a, and, optionally, at least partially defined in the side panel 123a. A first series of container retention tabs 147a, 149a, 151a can be positioned extending into the container retention opening 145a, foldably connected to the attachment panel at respective fold lines 153a (broadly, “oblique fold line”), 155a (broadly, “longitudinal fold line”), 157a (broadly, “oblique fold line”). In the illustrated embodiment, the container retention tab 149a can be at least partially separable from the respective adjacent container retention tabs 147a, 151a at respective oblique cuts 159a, 161a.

A second series of container retention tabs 147a, 149a, 151a can be foldably connected to the attachment panel 121 and positioned extending into the container retention opening 145a diametrically opposed to the first series of container retention tabs 147a, 149a, 151a described above, and having like associated features.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the container retention features 163a can include a respective container retention opening 165a at least partially defined by a respective curved edge 167a of the top panel 131a and/or the side panel 127a, that extends toward a generally oblique or generally longitudinal edge 169a of the side panel 127a. The edge 169a can intersect a generally hook shaped edge 171a of the side panel 127a and extends to a generally lateral edge 173a of the side panel 127a. The edge 173a can intersect a generally hook shaped edge 175a that extends to a generally oblique or generally longitudinal edge 177a of the side panel 127a that extends to the edge 167a. It will be understood that one or more of the aforementioned edges/portions thereof can be interspersed with transitional edges, curves, angles, shoulders, etc.

With continued reference to FIG. 1C, the container retention features 164a can include a respective container retention opening 179a at least partially defined by a respective curved edge 181a of the top panel 131a and/or the side panel 135a, that extends toward a generally oblique or generally longitudinal edge 183a of the side panel 135a. The edge 183a can intersect a generally lateral edge 185a of the side panel 135a. The edge 185a can intersect a generally oblique or generally longitudinal edge 187a of the side panel 135a that extends to the edge 181a. It will be understood that one or more of the aforementioned edges/portions thereof can be interspersed with transitional edges, curves, angles, shoulders, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the back portion 109 of the blank 103 includes a back side panels 123b, 127b, 135b, a back top panel 131b, and a back reinforcement panel 139b (broadly “first reinforcement panel”) having associated features that are generally a mirror-image of the corresponding portions of the front portion 107 of the blank 103. Corresponding components (e.g., panels, flaps, fold lines, cuts, etc.) have been designated by corresponding reference numbers that differ by the “a” or “b” suffix, with the “a” components corresponding to the front portion 107 of the blank 103 and the “b” components corresponding to the back portion 109 of the blank 103.

As shown, additional container retention features 154 can be provided along respective portions of the back reinforcement panel 139b. Two series of the container retention tabs 146, 148, 150 and associated features can be provided in laterally spaced relation extending away from a free edge of the back reinforcement panel 139b and foldably connected thereto. The container retention tabs 146, 148, 150 of the back reinforcement panel 139b can be similarly shaped and formed as the container retention tabs 147a/147b, 149a/149b, 151a/151b of the container retention features 143a/143b of the attachment panel 121. The container retention tabs 146, 148, 150 can be foldably connected to the back reinforcement panel 139b at respective fold lines 156, 158, 160 The container retention tabs 146, 148, 150 can be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.

The blank 103 and the carrier 105 formed therefrom can also include locking features for at least partially maintaining a formed or erected configuration of the carrier 105 formed from the blank 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking features can include a locking tab 191 (broadly, “male locking feature”) at least partially defined along a free edge 189 of the front or second reinforcement panel 139a. The locking features can also include a locking cut 193 (broadly, “female locking feature”) in the first or back reinforcement panel 139b. In one embodiment, the locking cut 193 extends between and at least partially interrupts the lateral fold line 141. Upon folding of the first reinforcement panel 139b at the fold line 141, the locking cut 193 forms a corresponding locking opening 194 between the side panel 135b and the reinforcement panel 139b for receiving the locking tab 191. The locking features of the blank 103 and carrier 105 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.

Turning additionally to FIGS. 2-4, formation/erection of the carrier 105 from the blank 103 will be described according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. A group of containers B can be organized, for example, in a row and/or column arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, containers B can be organized in a 2×2 arrangement, though it will be understood that a different arrangement of containers B can be provided to suit a blank similar to but scaled differently than the blank 103 without departing from the disclosure.

The blank 103 can be oriented with the exterior surface 101 facing upwardly and with an interior surface thereof, e.g., opposite the exterior surface 101, facing downwardly toward the containers B.

The blank 103 can be lowered onto the containers B such that at least the respective top portions T and flanges F of the respective containers B are at least partially received through the container retention openings 145a, 145b.

Such relative movement of the blank 103 and containers B can cause the respective container retention tabs 147a, 147b, 149a, 149b, 151a, 151b to fold at least partially upwardly relative to the attachment panel 121 at the respective fold lines 153a, 153b, 155a, 155b, 157a, 157b toward a respective flange F of a respective container B.

In particular, the respective container tab 147a, 147b, 149a, 149b, 151a, 151b can be positioned extending obliquely upwardly from a respective portion of the attachment panel 121 to an underside of a respective flange F of a respective container B, e.g., in a bracing relationship that maintains a tightened engagement between the blank 103/carrier 105 and the containers B. Such tightened engagement can minimize free space and/or relative movement between the blank 103/carrier 105 and the containers B.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-4, the side panel 127b can be at least partially folded at the fold line 179a in the direction of the arrow A1, the top panel 131b can be at least partially folded at the fold line 133b in the direction of the arrow A3, the side panel 135b can be at least partially folded at the fold line 137b in the direction of the arrow A4, and the reinforcement panel 139b can be at least partially folded at the fold line 141b in the direction of the arrow A5.

In such an arrangement, the outer side panel 127b can extend obliquely upwardly from the side panel 123b, the top panel 131b can be positioned in generally planar and spaced relation with respect to the attachment panel 121, the inner side panel 135b can extend obliquely downwardly from the top panel 131b, and the reinforcement panel 139b can be positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the reinforcement portion 121c of the attachment panel 121.

In some embodiments, the side panel 123b can be caused to fold at least partially downwardly relative to the attachment panel 121 at the fold line 125b, e.g., in oblique relation thereto.

The aforementioned movement of the panels 127b, 131b, 135b can cause engagement of respective portions of the respective containers B with the container retention features 163b, 164b. For example, at least portions of the respective flanges F and respective top portions T of the respective containers B can be at least partially received through the respective container retention openings 165b of the container retention features 163b, such that the respective edges of the side panel 127b can be positioned under/contacting the respective flanges F of the respective containers B.

Similarly, at least portions of the respective flanges F and respective top portions T of the respective containers B can be at least partially received through the respective container retention openings 179b of the container retention features 164b, such that the respective edges of the side panel 135b can be positioned under/contacting the respective flanges F of the respective containers B.

Further, the positioning of the first reinforcement panel 139b in at least partial face-to-face contact with the reinforcement portion 121c of the attachment panel 121 can urge the container retention features 154 to engage respective containers B. In particular, the respective container retention tabs 146, 148, 150 can fold at least partially upwardly relative to the attachment panel 121 at the respective fold lines 156, 158, 160 toward a respective flange F of a respective container B in a bracing engagement as described above with respect to the container retention features 143b. As shown in FIG. 3, the container retention tabs 147a, 149a, 151a in the front portion 106 of the carrier 105 cooperate with the container retention tabs 156, 158, 160 of the first reinforcement panel 139b cooperate with the container retention tabs to engage and retain the front containers B in the front portion of the carrier.

The carrier 105 is further formed by positioning the front top panel 131a over the front containers B held in the front portion of the attachment panel 121 so that the front containers are at least partially received in the container receiving openings 165a, 179a of the container retention features 163a, 164a. The front inner side panel 135a is downwardly folded relative to the front top panel 131a and the second/front reinforcement panel 139a is folded relative to the inner side panel 135a to be in face-to-face contact and overlapping relationship with the first/back reinforcement panel 139b. The carrier 105 can be locked, tightened, and/or secured by the insertion of the locking tab 191 into the locking opening 194 formed by the locking cut 194 between the side panel 135a and the reinforcement panel 139b. The carrier 105 can have other features and can be otherwise formed and can be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure.

Turning to FIG. 5, the formed arrangement of the package 110 and carrier 105 can be provided with the front portion 106 thereof, the back portion 108 thereof, and the reinforcement portion 113 positioned between the front portion 106 and the back portion 108. Such formation can include at least partial engagement of the locking features of the blank 103/carrier 105, with the locking tab 191 positioned to be at least partially received through the cut 193 and/or a locking opening 194 formed thereby. Such engagement of the locking features can, in some embodiments, minimize and/or obviate the need for the application of adhesives such as glue to maintained the formed configuration of the carrier 105.

The reinforcement portion 113 can be at least partially formed by the overlapping arrangement of the front reinforcement panel 139a, the back reinforcement panel 139a, and the reinforcement portion 121c of the attachment panel 121. Such an arrangement provides reinforcement to the carrier 105 in the course of movement or other loading, e.g., transportation, storage, carrying, incidental to use, etc. In this regard, the arrangement of reinforcement portion 113 and the reinforcement panels 139a, 139b provides the carrier 105 with an increased capacity to minimize, inhibit, avoid, prevent, and/or otherwise resist bending, bowing, flexing, buckling, curling, deflection, and/or other deformation.

The package 110/carrier 105 described above has a compact structure that can, for example, provide materials savings and waste reduction. Additionally, the positioning of the reinforcement portion 121c of the attachment panel 121/reinforcement portion 113 between the front portion 106 and the back portion 108 of the carrier 105 results in a robust structure for holding and carrying the containers B. Further, the exposure of one or more portions of the containers B on exterior portions of the carrier 105/package 110 provides a consumer with a clear view of labeling or surface graphics associated with the containers B as well as providing convenient access to remove one or more of the containers B from the carrier 105/package 110.

It will be understood that the blanks and carriers described herein can be provided in different configurations without departing from the disclosure. For example, the blanks and carriers described herein can be sized and provided with a corresponding number of features suitable to engage a desired number and configuration of containers.

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

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

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

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

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

Additionally, spatially relative terms, such as “bottom or “top” and the like can be used to describe an element and/or feature's relationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example, illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use and/or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as a “bottom” surface can then be oriented “above” other elements or features. The device can be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Terms “and,” “or,” and “an/or,” as used herein, may include a variety of meanings that also is expected to depend at least in part upon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” if used to associate a list, such as A, B, or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B, or C, here used in the exclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as used herein may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in the singular or may be used to describe some combination of features, structures, or characteristics. However, it should be noted that this is merely an illustrative example and claimed subject matter is not limited to this example. Furthermore, the term “at least one of” if used to associate a list, such as A, B, or C, can be interpreted to mean any combination of A, B, and/or C, such as A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, AA, AAB, ABC, AABBCCC, etc.

Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “an example,” “certain examples,” or “exemplary implementation” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the feature and/or example may be included in at least one feature and/or example of claimed subject matter. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one example,” “an example,” “in certain examples,” “in certain implementations,” or other like phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same feature, example, and/or limitation. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more examples and/or features.

In the preceding detailed description, numerous specific details have been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods and apparatuses that would be known by one of ordinary skill have not been described in detail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that claimed subject matter not be limited to the particular examples disclosed, but that such claimed subject matter may also include all aspects falling within the scope of appended claims, and equivalents thereof.