THEREFROM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present disclosure is directed to a process for treating nonwoven materials and products obtained therefrom. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a process for treating nonwoven material (for e.g. cotton or a blend of cotton with polypropylene, rayon, olefin, polyester, or nylon) by applying a hydrophilic coating composition containing a polyurethane and a polyorganosiloxane to one side of the material to form a coating thereon to facilitate moisture transfer from one side of the material to the other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Absorbent products, such as diapers, training pants, adult incontinence products and feminine care products are well known in the art and are used to collect and retain bodily fluids deposited thereon by the wearer.

[0005] Nonwoven fabrics made of synthetic and/or natural fibers and blends of natural fiber, including rayon with synthetic fibers are commonly used in absorbent products, such as in a topsheet. A topsheet is the part of the absorbent product that touches the skin of the wearer and provides an interface between the wearer and absorbent core of the absorbent product. To maximize the comfort of the wearer, the topsheet must have the capability to pass bodily fluids through it and into the absorbent core where they can become trapped and prevented from passing back through to the wearer. [0006] One common method to provide this property is by coating the surface of the topsheet with a surfactant. One drawback to this method is that the coating does not always provide a tight chemical bond between the nonwoven and surfactant. Thus, the surfactant can be washed off during use. Another common method is application of a corona and/or plasma treatment. However this method has been shown to lead to low coating durability upon storage of the treated substrate. One other common method is to use melt additives that are added into the extrusion process while the synthetic fiber is being produced to render the fibers hydrophilic.

[0007] It would be advantageous to provide processes for treating nonwoven absorbent products that are not easily washed off when wetted, are durable over time and have the capability of imparting moisture transfer properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present disclosure relates to processes for treating a nonwoven material or fibers with a topical coating such that the material or fibres are capable of rapidly transferring moisture from the treated side to the opposing side and also inhibit the liquid or moisture's capability of transferring back or rewetting the treated side. The process further provides a durable effect over time. A material made in accordance with the process of the present disclosure is capable of transferring or wicking moisture from one side of the material to other side due to application of a hydrophilic coating composition onto a single side of the generally hydrophobic material. That is, the material or fibers generally have one surface coated with the hydrophilic coating composition whereas the opposing hydrophobic surface is not coated with the hydrophilic coating composition. Moisture is thus pulled through (away from the treated surface of) the material and may be passed to an adjacent material, such as an acquisition layer. Because the untreated side is hydrophobic, the moisture that is pulled through does not move or transfer back to the treated surface. The net effect of such a process is the production of a hydrophilic gradient that extends from the treated surface to the untreated surface. Advantages of the process of the present disclosure include the relative simplicity of the application and the ability to quick wick moisture away from the treated surface to the untreated surface to render the entire treated surface of the material (for e.g. a topsheet) dry and also maintain its dryness for an extended period of time. This is accomplished without macroscale wicking channels and without special weaving or knitting construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] If appearing herein, the term "comprising" and derivatives thereof are not intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, step or procedure, whether or not the same is disclosed herein. In order to avoid any doubt, all formulations claimed herein through use of the term "comprising" may include any additional additive, adjuvant, or compound, unless stated to the contrary. In contrast, the term, "consisting essentially of if appearing herein, excludes from the scope of any succeeding recitation any other component, step or procedure, excepting those that are not essential to operability and the term "consisting of, if used, excludes any component, step or procedure not specifically delineated or listed. The term "or", unless stated otherwise, refers to the listed members individually as well as in any combination.

[0009] The articles "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, "a polyorganosiloxane" means one polyorganosiloxane or more than one polyorganosiloxane.

[0010] The phrases "in one embodiment," "according to one embodiment," and the like generally mean the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present invention. Importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0011] If the specification states a component or feature "may", "can", "could", or "might" be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic. [0012] The term "coating" as used herein includes coatings that completely cover a surface or a portion thereof (e.g. continuous coatings, including those that form films on the surface) as well as coatings that may only partially cover a surface, such as those coatings that, after drying, leave gaps in coverage on the surface (e.g. discontinuous coatings). In some embodiments, the coating forms at least one layer of continuous film on the surface which has been coated, and is substantially uniform. However, when the coatings described herein are described as being applied to a surface, it is understood that the coatings need not be applied to, or that they cover, the entire surface. For instance, coatings will be considered as being applied to a surface even if they are only applied to modify a portion of the surface.

[0013] The term "hydrophilic" describes fibers or surfaces of fibers, which are wettable by aqueous fluids (e.g. aqueous body fluids) deposited on these fibers. Hydrophilicity and wettability are typically defined in terms of contact angle and the strike-through time of the fluids, for example through a nonwoven fabric. A fiber or surface of a fiber is said to be wetted by a fluid (i.e. hydrophilic) when either the contact angle between the fluid and the fiber, or its surface, is less than 90°, or when the fluid tends to spread spontaneously across the surface of the fiber, both conditions are normally co-existing. Conversely, a fiber or surface of the fiber is considered to be hydrophobic if the contact angle is greater than 90° and the fluid does not spread spontaneously across the surface of the fiber.

[0014] Aspects of the present disclosure involve processes of applying a hydrophilic coating composition described herein onto a single side of a nonwoven material to form a coating on the surface of the nonwoven material to facilitate moisture transport from one side of the material to the other and to a durable, substantially liquid pervious nonwoven material produced from such processes. The nonwoven material coated with the hydrophilic coating composition may be useful in a variety of articles, including absorbent articles. Examples of such absorbent articles include, but are not limited to, diapers, adult incontinence products, training pants, feminine hygiene pads, panty liners, care mats, bibs, wound dressing products, pet pads, wipes and the like. [0015] The durable, substantially liquid pervious nonwoven material produced by the process of the present disclosure not only exhibits excellent moisture transfer properties but also an extended shelf life and wear life. As mentioned above, high-energy treatments tend to provide a nonwoven material, such as a topsheet, having a short shelf life. That is, during the time from purchase to ultimate use by the consumer, the topsheet tends to lose its hydrophilicity. Surfactant treatments on the other hand often provide topsheets that exhibit an adequate shelf life, but an inadequate wear life. That is, upon contact with bodily fluids, the topsheet instantly begins to lose it hydrophilic properties. The durable, substantially liquid pervious nonwoven material produced by the process of the present disclosure suffers neither of these limitations, that is the hydrophilic properties are not substantially lost over time or upon contact with bodily fluids.

[0016] The nonwoven material may be made of natural fibers or materials or a blend of natural fibers or materials and synthetic fibers or materials. Natural fibers or materials include, but are not limited to, cotton or processed cellulosics such as rayon, acetate and lyocell. Synthetic fibers or materials include, but are not limited to, acrylic, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, olefins and spandex.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the process includes the step of applying a hydrophilic coating composition onto a single side or surface of the nonwoven material to form a coating thereon. The hydrophilic coating composition may be distributed evenly across a single surface of the nonwoven material (the treated side) and penetrate some distance into the material in such manner that it does not reach the untreated, opposing side of the material. This controlled application creates a hydrophilicity gradient through the thickness of the material whereby moisture can be readily transported to the opposing untreated side allowing the treated side of the topsheet to remain relatively dry while absorbing and transporting moisture toward the untreated side.

[0018] In one embodiment, the nonwoven material is a nonwoven topsheet. Thus, in such an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process for preparing a durable, substantially liquid pervious topsheet. The process includes the step of applying a hydrophilic coating composition onto a single side or surface of the topsheet to form a coating thereon. The hydrophilic coating composition may be distributed evenly across a single surface of the topsheet and penetrate some distance into the topsheet in such manner that it does not reach the untreated, opposing side of the topsheet. This controlled application creates a hydrophilicity gradient. The topsheet having such a hydrophilic gradient is capable of transferring moisture (e.g. bodily fluids) away from the inner surface (such as is worn next to the skin) towards the outer surface (surface farthest from the skin). Moreover, since the nonwoven material is generally hydrophobic prior to coating, once the hydrophilic coating has been applied, the treated side is capable of wicking the bodily fluids away from the topsheet toward the outer surface and then into an adjacent material, for e.g. an acquisition layer. Since the untreated side of the topsheet is hydrophobic, the fluids or moisture do not readily transfer back to the inner surface of the topsheet which is contact with the skin.

[0019] In another embodiment, the nonwoven topsheet comprises cotton fibers. In yet another embodiment, the cotton fibers comprise greige cotton fibers. Although inclusion of other types of fibers, such as bleached cotton, synthetic, rayon, etc., is not categorically excluded, other types of fibers are also not needed in order to achieve the unexpectedly durable and liquid pervious properties of the topsheet. In various embodiments, the topsheet in this respect can comprise, for example, at least about 5 wt % greige cotton fibers, or at least about 50 wt % greige cotton fibers, or at least about 75 wt % greige cotton fibers, or at least about 90 wt % greige cotton fibers, or at least about 95 wt % greige cotton fibers, or at least about 99 wt % grey cotton fibers. In other embodiments, the topsheet contains 100 wt % greige cotton fibers.

[0020] The cotton fibers can be staple length, continuous, essentially continuous, or combinations thereof. The fiber length and diameter of the cotton fibers used can be selected to suit a particular end-use application. Staple fiber lengths can be, for example, about 1 mm to about 50 mm, or about 3 mm to about 30 mm, or about 5 mm to about 20 mm, or about 10 mm to about 15 mm, or other fiber lengths also may be useful. Staple fiber diameters may range, for example, from about 5 microns to about 10,000 microns, or from about 10 microns to about 5,000 microns, or from about 20 microns to about 2,000 microns, or other fiber diameters also may be useful. Filaments can be used, for example, in deniers from about 0.5 to about 10, or about 1.5 to about 5, or about 2 to about 3.5, or other denier values also may be useful.

[0021] Topsheets comprising cotton fibers can be formed by direct extrusion processes or laying processes. Exemplary direct extrusion processes include but are not limited to: spunbonding, meltblowing, solvent spinning, electrospinning, and combinations thereof typically forming layers. Exemplary "laying" processes include wetlaying and drylaying. Examples of drylaying processes include but are not limited to airlaying, carding, needle punching and combinations thereof typically forming layers. Combinations of the above processes yield nonwovens commonly called hybrids or composites. Exemplary combinations include but are not limited to spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS), spunbond-carded (SC), spunbond-airlaid (SA), meltblown-airlaid (MA), and combinations thereof, typically in layers. Combinations which include direct extrusion can be combined at the about the same point in time as the direct extrusion process (e.g., spinform and coform for SA and MA), or at a subsequent point in time. In the above examples, one or more individual layers can be created by each process. For instance, SMS can mean a three layer, "sms" nonwoven materials, a five layer 'ssmms ¹ nonwoven materials, or any reasonable variation thereof wherein the lower case letters designate individual layers and the upper case letters designate the compilation of similar, adjacent layers.

[0022] The fibers are typically joined to one or more adjacent fibers at some of the overlapping junctions. This includes joining fibers within each layer and joining fibers between layers when there is more than one layer. Fibers can be joined by mechanical entanglement, by chemical bond or by combinations thereof.

[0023] Fibers and topsheets can be subjected to additional treatment after formation. Examples of additional treatments include but are not limited to mechanical stresses, chemical additives, or combinations thereof. In one particular embodiment, the greige cotton fibers are "clean" and have not been bleached or treated with any chemical, water or heat prior to use. Such greige cotton fibers include the commercially available UltraClean® brand cotton.

[0024] It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the term "topsheet" includes laminates of two or more substrates or webs. Commercially available laminates, or purpose built ones would also be within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the topsheet may be flat or textured and a single layer, not laminated.

[0025] The hydrophilic coating composition of the present disclosure used to coat the topsheet includes a polyurethane and a polyorganosiloxane.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the polyurethane, which is generally known to the person skilled in the art and widely described, is a thermoplastic polyurethane prepared from the reaction of (a) an isocyanate with (b) compounds reactive toward isocyanates and (c) chain extenders and if appropriate in the presence of (d) catalysts and/or (e) additives.

[0027] Organic isocyanates (a) which may be used are generally known aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic and/or aromatic isocyanates, preferably diisocyanates, for example tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta- and/or octamethylene diisocyanate, 2- methylpentamethylene 1,5-diisocyanate, 2-ethylbutylene 1,4-diisocyanate, pentamethylene 1 ,5-diisocyanate, butylene 1 ,4-diisocyanate, l-isocyanato-3,3,5- trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane (isophorone diisocyanate, IPDI), 1,4- and/or l,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane (HXDI), cyclohexane 1,4-diisocyanate, 1- methylcyclohexane 2,4- and/or 2,6-diisocyanate and/or dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-, 2,4'- and 2,2'-diisocyanate, diphenylmethane 2,2'-, 2,4'- and/or 4,4'-diisocyanate (MDI), naphthylene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI), tolylene 2,4- and/or 2,6-diisocyanate (TDI), diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 3,3'-dimethyldiphenyl diisocyanate, 1,2-diphenylethane diisocyanate and/or phenylene diisocyanate. 4,4'-MDI is preferably used.

[0028] The generally known compounds reactive toward isocyanates which may be used as compounds (b) include for example polyesterols, polyetherols and/or polycarbonatediols, which are usually also summarized under the term "polyols", having molecular weights of from 500 to 4000 g/mol, preferably from 1000 to 3000 g/mol, in particular from 1500 to 2000 g/mol, and preferably an average functionality of from 1.8 to 2.3, preferably from 1.9 to 2.2, in particular 2.

[0029] Chain extenders (c) which may be used are generally known aliphatic, araliphatic, aromatic and/or cycloaliphatic compounds having a molecular weight of from 50 to 499, preferably difunctional compounds, for example diamines and/or alkanediols having 2 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkylene radical, in particular 1 ,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, and/or di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-, octa-, nona- and/or decaalkylene glycols having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably corresponding oligo- and/or polypropylene glycols, it also being possible to use mixtures of chain extenders. Particularly preferred chain extenders are aliphatic diamines, in particular ethylenediamine or propylenediamine or mixtures comprising ethylenediamine and propylenediamine.

[0030] Suitable catalysts (d) which accelerate in particular the reaction between the NCO groups of the diisocyanates (a) and the hydroxyl and/or amino groups of the components (b) and (c) are the customary tertiary amines known according to the prior art, such as, for example, triethylamine, dimethylcyclohexylamine, N-methyl-morpholine, Ν,Ν'- dimethylpiperazine, 2-(dimethylaminoethoxy)ethanol, diazabicyclo-(2,2,2)octane and the like and in particular organic metal compounds, such as titanic acid esters, iron compounds, such as, for example, iron(III) acetylacetonate, tin compounds, e.g. tin diacetate, tin dioctanoate, tin dilaurate or the dialkyltin salts of aliphatic carboxylic acids, such as dibutyltin diacetate, dibutyltin dilaurate or the like. The catalysts are usually used in amounts of from 0.0001 to 0.1 part by weight per 100 parts by weight of polyhydroxy compound (b).

[0031] In addition to catalysts (d), customary assistants and/or additives (e) can also be added to the components (a) to (c). Examples include, but are not limited to, blowing agents, surface-active substances, fillers, flame proofing agents, nucleating agents, oxidation stabilizers, lubricants and mold release agents, dyes and pigments, if appropriate further stabilizers in addition to the stabilizer mixture according to the invention, e.g. hydrolysis, light or heat stabilizers or stabilizers to prevent discoloration, inorganic and/or organic fillers, reinforcing agents and plasticizers. In an embodiment, the component (e) also includes hydrolysis stabilizers, such as, for example, polymeric and low molecular weight carbodiimides. In a further embodiment, the thermoplastic polyurethane may comprise a phosphorus compound. Phosphorus compounds which may be used are organophosphorus compounds of trivalent phosphorus, such as, for example, phosphites and phosphonites. Other examples of phosphorus compounds are triphenyl phosphite, diphenyl alkyl phosphite, phenyl dialkyl phosphite, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite, trilauryl phosphite, trioctadecyl phosphite, distearyl pentaerythrityl diphosphite, tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, diisodecyl pentaerythrityl diphosphite, di(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) pentaerythrityl diphosphite, tristearyl sorbitol triphosphite, tetrakis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) 4,4'-diphenylylene diphosphonite, trisisodecyl phosphite, diisodecyl phenyl phosphite and diphenyl isodecyl phosphite or mixtures thereof.

[0032] In addition to components (a), (b) and (c) and, if appropriate, (d) and (e), chain regulators, usually having a molecular weight of from 31 to 499, may also be used. Such chain regulators are compounds which have only one functional group reactive toward isocyanates, such as, for example, monofunctional alcohols, monofunctional amines and/or monofunctional polyols. By means of such chain regulators, it is possible to establish flow behavior, in particular in the case of thermoplastic polyurethanes, in a controlled manner. Chain regulators can be used in general in an amount of from 0 to 5 parts by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 1 part by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of component (b) and by definition are included under the component (c).

[0033] For establishing the hardness of the polyurethane, the components (b) and (c) can be varied within relatively wide molar ratios. Molar ratios of component (b) to chain extenders (c) to be used altogether which are from 10:1 to 1 : 10, in particular from 1 :1 to 1 :4, have proven useful, the hardness of the polyurethanes increasing with increasing content of (c). [0034] In some embodiments, the reaction can be effected at customary indices, preferably at an index of from 900 to 1 100, particularly preferably at an index of from 950 to 1050. The index is defined by the ratio of the isocyanate groups of component (a) which are used altogether in the reaction to the groups reactive toward isocyanates, i.e. the active hydrogens, of the components (b) and (c). At an index of 100, there is one active hydrogen atom, i.e. one function reactive toward isocyanates, of the components (b) and (c) per isocyanate group of component (a). At indices above 1000, more isocyanate groups than OH groups are present.

[0035] The hydrophilic coating composition also includes a polyorganosiloxane. In one embodiment, the polyorganosiloxane is a compound containing units of the formula R ₃ S1-O- as end groups of the polysiloxane chain. In the formula, all R radicals are independently methyl, ethyl, or phenyl. In some embodiments, 80% to 100% of the R radicals are methyl.

[0036] In another embodiment, the polyorganosiloxane has a linear construction; i.e. it preferably contains no silicon atoms in side chains.

[0037] In still another embodiment, the polyorganosiloxane contains units of the formula (I)

-Si(R) ₂ -0- (I) and units of the formula (II)

-Si(R)(X)-0- (II) within the polyorganosiloxane chain. In these formulae, all R radicals are independently as defined as above, i.e. methyl, ethyl or phenyl. In some embodiments, 80% to 100% of all R radicals present are methyl. All the X radicals present represent a radical of the formula (III) where t is an integer from 1 to 4 and z is an integer from 5 to 60. In every unit of the formula

-O-CHR^CHR ² -

1 2 3 one of R and R is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen or a methyl group. All R radicals present are hydrogen or an R radical of the abovementioned kind. In some embodiments, 50% to 100% of all R ³ radicals present are hydrogen.

[0038] According to some embodiments, in at least 50% of all units of the formula

-O-CHR^CHR ² - present, not only the R ¹ radicals but also the R ² radicals are hydrogen. In other embodiments, it's advantageous when in 80% to 100% of these units both the R ¹ radicals and R ² radicals are hydrogen. In additional embodiments, polyorganosiloxanes comprising polyoxyethylene radicals only and no polyoxypropylene radicals are particularly suitable.

[0039] The polyorganosiloxane in some embodiments can be combined with the polyurethane in neat form or in diluted form, for example in the form of an aqueous solution or dispersion. Examples of dispersants include customary nonionic surface- active products such as ethoxylated alcohols or ethoxylated amines.

[0040] In one particular embodiment, the hydrophilic composition includes a polyorganosiloxane of the following formula (IV) or aqueous dispersion of such polyorganosiloxane

(CH ₃ )Si-0-(Si(CH ₃ ) ₂ )-0) _m -(Si(CH ₃ )(X)-0)p-Si(CH ₃ ) ₃ (IV) where the individual -Si(CH ₃ ) ₂ -0- and -Si(CH ₃ )(X)-0 units may be randomly distributed throughout the polysiloxane chain and where m is an integer from 15-25 and p is an integer from 3 to 10. [0041] The hydrophilic coating composition may further include one or more optional additives. Examples of such additives include: a earner, such as water or low molecular weight organic solvent (e.g. ethanol, methanol, acetone, ethylene glycol, propanol, isopropanol); a surfactant; process aids; antimicrobial preservatives; antioxidants; antistatic agents; abrasion resistance, chelating agents; colorants; dyes; filler salts; fungicides; insect and moth repellant agents; germicides; hydrotropes; and metallic salts.

[0042] The hydrophilic coating composition may be prepared by mixing the polyurethane with the polyorganosiloxane and further with any other components until a uniform dispersion is obtained. The amount of solids contained in the hydrophilic coating composition may range in an amount from about 1 weight percent to about 99 weight percent based on the total weight of the hydrophilic coating composition. In other embodiments, the amount of solids contained in the hydrophilic coating composition may range in an amount from about 5 weight percent to about 75 weight percent, or from about 10 weight percent to about 60 weight percent, or from about 15 weight percent to about 45 weight percent, or from about 20 weight percent to about 30 weight percent, based on the total weight of the hydrophilic coating composition.

[0043] The hydrophilic coating composition may be applied to a single side or surface of the topsheet to provide one-sided moisture transport in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the hydrophilic coating composition is applied to one surface by kiss-roll coating. In kiss-roll coating, the hydrophilic coating composition is kept in a suitable bath. A rotating cylinder or any other device suitable for this process, contacts the hydrophilic coating composition with at least a part of its surface. Thus, the hydrophilic coating composition is spread on the surface of the cylinder. The topsheet is then brought into contact with the cylinder while the cylinder already has the hydrophilic coating composition spread on its surface. In this process, the amount of hydrophilic coating composition applied onto the topsheet can be controlled easily and it is possible to avoid soaking the topsheet with the hydrophilic coating composition.

[0044] In other embodiments, the hydrophilic coating composition may be applied to one surface of the topsheet to provide one-sided moisture transport by spraying the hydrophilic coating composition onto a surface of the topsheet. Other alternative methods of applying the hydrophilic coating composition onto one surface of the topsheet to provide one-sided moisture transport include, but are not limited to, foam, knife- coating, printing, such as rotary, gravure, flexographic printing, ink jet printing, slot coating and the like.

[0045] Whatever method of application is used, the application must be controlled such that the applied chemistry covers one side of the topsheet without soaking through to the other side. Typically this requires a wet pick-up of between about 25 weight percent to about 150 weight percent where the wet pick-up (wpu) is expressed as:

% wpu = weight of composition applied x 100

weight of dry topsheet

In another embodiment, the wet pick-up is adjusted to provide from about 25 weight percent to about 100 weight percent wet pick-up relative to the weight of the untreated topsheet, and more preferably from about 45 weight percent to about 90 weight percent. Once applied, the topsheet is then dried and cured using standard textile ovens. The topsheet can be dried at, for example, a temperature of between about 100°C to about 190°C for at least 30 seconds (or at any temperature/time needed for adequate processing). Application of the hydrophilic coating composition results in a coating layer being proximal or contiguous with one surface of the topsheet.

[0046] The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the true scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.