CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Numbers 63/121,094 filed December 3, 2020 and 63/092,145 filed October 15, 2020, the entirety of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to tablets. More specifically, this disclosure relates to biomass tablets, and methods and apparatus for forming biomass tablets.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Various species and strains of plants, especially those containing essential oils, have been in use both medicinally and recreationally since before recorded history. Most methods of consumption included some form of extraction.

[0004] In recent years, it has been demonstrated that, while inhaling the smoke from certain plants is an effective and fast means of administration of the active compounds contained in biomass, the process tends to create and deliver many undesirable compounds, including incomplete combustion byproducts. These compounds can be rather harmful and are best avoided when possible.

[0005] Another more recent development is the advent of the dry herb vaporizer, or thermal extraction device. These devices are similar to smoking in that they produce an atomized form of the essential oils and other active compounds for inhalation and delivery through the pulmonary system. Some differences are that these devices neither burn the biomass to produce the heat needed for extraction nor produce the harmful incomplete combustion byproducts.

[0006] Certain challenges associated with the use of botanicals have been addressed with the advent of pharmaceuticals, as pharmaceutical compounds can be precisely formulated and blended with both active and inactive ingredients such as binders to create a tablet containing a standardized concentration or dose of known active compounds. However, pharmaceuticals suffer certain drawbacks, such as a desire by people to have visibility into what is being consumed and use of natural compounds/components. Moreover, biomass materials pose different problems from pharmaceuticals. Biomass materials lack uniformity of ingredients, particularly active ingredients, which cause difficulty in obtaining repeatable, consistent dosing.

[0007] Accordingly, a need exists for a machine to form a tablet of homogenized biomass which aligns with the precision and standardization characteristics of pharmaceutical compounds. Further, a need exists for an improved biomass tablet that more closely aligns with the precision and standardization characteristics of pharmaceutical compounds.

SUMMARY

[0008] In embodiments, a shaped biomass tablet and a method and apparatus for forming the same, are disclosed.

[0009] In embodiments, the apparatus and methods described create a shaped biomass tablet utilizing an engineered functional geometry for enhanced extraction and standardized performance composed of biomass containing active compounds.

[0010] In embodiments, the shaped biomass tablet described includes homogenized plant materials containing approximate known concentrations of active compounds relative to mass compressed in an engineered functional geometry form.

[0011] In embodiments, the method for forming a shaped biomass tablet describe includes loading an amount of biomass media into a press box, compressing the biomass media into an engineered form, and discharging the biomass media from the press box. The method can further include grinding and creating a homogenized biomass media prior to loading the homogenized biomass media into the press box.

[0012] In embodiments, the apparatus for forming a biomass tablet includes a frame, a press box supported by the frame, an input for providing biomass to the press box, a first punch configured for receiving biomass material and supported by the frame, a second punch configured for receiving biomass material and supported by the frame, and a motor supported by the frame and coupled to the first punch. The motor moves the first punch towards the second punch to compress a homogenized biomass media into a biomass tablet and to initiate forming an aperture in the biomass tablet created by one of the first or second punches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Various examples of embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods according to this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures.

[0014] FIG. 1A is a top-down image illustrating a modified toroidal biomass tablet.

[0015] FIG. 1B is an elevated sectional image of the modified toroidal biomass tablet of FIG.

1A bisected along the line A-A.

[0016] FIG. 2A is a top-down image of a near toroidal biomass tablet.

[0017] FIG. 2B is an elevated sectional image of the near toroidal biomass tablet bisected of

FIG. 2A along line B-B.

[0018] FIG. 3A is a top-down image of an easy ejection toroidal biomass tablet.

[0019] FIG. 3B is an elevated sectional image of the easy ejection toroidal biomass tablet of

FIG. 3A bisected along line C-C.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a top-down image of a toroidal biomass tablet with apertures.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a toroidal biomass tablet with angled facets.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a top-down image of a toroidal biomass tablet with macro and micro- perforations.

[0023] FIG. 7 is an image illustrating an exothermal vaporizer with which a toroidal tablet of the type described herein may be used.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional image of the exothermal vaporizer of FIG. 7 with the modified toroidal biomass tablet shown in phantom. [0025] FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional image of a tablet press that creates the easy ejection toroidal biomass tablet of FIGs. 3A and 3B.

[0026] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional image of a tablet press that creates a modified toroidal biomass tablet of FIGs. 1A and 1B.

[0027] FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional image of a tablet press that creates a near toroidal biomass tablet of FIGs. 2A and 2B.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tablet press machine, with a portion of the tablet press machine shown in phantom.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a press box used in the tablet press machine of FIG. 10.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a block diagram representing a portion of a control system for the tablet press machine of FIG. 11.

[0031] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram for a cycle process of the tablet press machine of FIG. 11.

[0032] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary to the understanding of the invention or render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] One or more examples of a biomass tablet composed of various homogenized plant materials containing known concentrations of active compounds relative to mass are shown. Any suitable plant material may be configured as described herein as a biomass tablet and the biomass tablet is not limited to any particular plant material.

[0034] As can be seen in FIG. 1A, the biomass tablet 100 is created in the form of a modified toroid. That is, the structure of the biomass tablet 100 generally comprises a surface of revolution with a hole 105 (or complete aperture) in the middle forming a solid body. The general form of the biomass tablet 100 is defined by an internal radius 110 stemming from the center of the hole 105 to the interior boundary 115 of the biomass tabl et 100 and an external radius 120 stemming from the center of the hole 105 to the external boundary 125 of the biomass tablet 100. The inner radius can be tapered, as shown in FIG. 1A. The general form of the biomass tablet 100 is further defined by a height 127 (see FIG. 1B). In other words, a biomass tablet 100 is provided having a hole 105 in the center and generally consistent cross section 130. In one or more preferred examples of embodiments, the biomass tablet 100 has a generally consistent cross section 130. The generally consistent cross-section 130 or uniformity of the biomass tablet 100 enables a faster disintegration as well as improved means of thermal transfer and subsequent egress of the atomized oil and vapor of the active and or desirable compounds.

[0035] As can be seen in FIG. 2A, a near toroidal biomass tablet 180 may also be created. The structure of the near toroidal biomass tablet 180 generally comprises a surface of revolution with an aperture 181 that does not fully penetrate near toroidal biomass tablet 180, forming a solid body. The general form of the near toroidal biomass tablet 180 is defined by an internal radius 182 stemming from the center of the aperture 181 to the interior boundary 183 of the near toroidal biomass tablet 180 and an external radius 184 stemming from the center of the aperture 181 to the external boundary 186 of the near toroidal biomass tablet 180. The general form of the near toroidal biomass tablet 180 is further defined by a height 187 (see FIG. 2B). In other words, a near toroidal biomass tablet 180 is provided having an aperture 181 in the center and generally consistent cross section 188. In one or more preferred examples of embodiments, the near toroidal biomass tablet 180 has a generally consistent cross section 188. The generally consistent cross-section 188 or uniformity of the near toroidal biomass tablet 180 enables a faster disintegration as well as improved means of thermal transfer and subsequent egress of the atomized oil and vapor of the active and or desirable compounds.

[0036] As can be seen in FIG. 3A, an easy ejection toroidal biomass tablet 170 may also be created. The structure of the easy ejection toroidal biomass tablet 170 generally comprises a surface of revolution with an aperture 171 that does not fully penetrate easy ejection toroidal biomass tablet 170, forming a solid body. The general form of the easy ejection toroidal biomass tablet 170 is defined by an internal radius 172 stemming from the center of the aperture 171 to the interior boundary 173 of the easy ejection toroidal biomass tablet 170 and an external radius 174 stemming from the center of the aperture 171 to the external boundary 176 of the easy ejection toroidal biomass tablet 170. The general form of the easy ejection toroidal biomass tablet 170 is further defined by a height 177 (see FIG. 3B) and a generally continuous surface 179. In other words, an easy ejection toroidal biomass tablet 170 is provided having an aperture 171 in the center and generally consistent cross section 178, In one or more preferred examples of embodiments, the easy ejection toroidal biomass tablet 170 has a generally consistent cross section 178. The generally consistent cross-section 178 or uniformity of the easy ejection toroidal biomass tablet 170 and generally flat bottom surface 179 enables a faster disintegration, improved means of thermal transfer and subsequent egress of the atomized oil and vapor of the active and or desirable compounds, and facilitated ejection once compressed.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a toroidal (or donut-like) structure with a consistent cross section 130. In some examples of alternative embodiments, a more textured and/or angular surface may be provided on the biomass tablet 100, In some embodiments, apertures 135 are provided in the biomass tablet 100 which may further facilitate the liberation and dispersion of the active compounds from the biomass. One skilled in the art will appreciate that apertures 135 may be manufactured by a variety of means, including, but not limited to, by laser drilling and by mechanical means. In other embodiments, both partial and/or full facets 140 (FIG. 5) and/or perforations 145 ( FIG. 6) may be provided. While specific examples are provided, variations thereon may also be acceptable and appreciated by one skilled in the art. Incorporating this textured and/or angular surface and/or other functional geometry, such as, but not limited to, micro and/or macro perforations 145, allows for improved dispersion of the phase-changed thermally motivated compounds, thus allowing these compounds to diffuse out of the remaining biomass.

[0038] The biomass tablet shown 100 may be used with an exothermal vaporizer having a chamber 150 for receipt of the biomass tablet 100, such as a commercially available exothermal vaporizer 155 available from DYNAVAP, LLC (Deforest, WI), an example of which is shown in FIG. 7 and a partial cross-section of which is shown in FIG. 8. Generally, the exothermal vaporizer 155 has a chamber 150 which is sized to receive the biomass tablet 100. The toroidal tablet design utilizes functional geometry for facilitating quick and effective thermal extraction from the biomass tablet 100 containing a known and consistent concentration of active compounds.

[0039] Advantageously, the toroidal shape both in its base form, as well as in its modified form with additional surface geometries such as facets 140 and/or perforations 145 both partial and foil, is particularly well suited for dispensing and administering active compounds when heated in a thermal extraction device. This shape (effectively a donut in some embodiments) allows for faster and more even penetration of heat from the heat source as well as enhanced egress of the vapor and atomized oils produced as the active compounds phase change.

[0040] A low-pressure differential from the interior of the tablet at extraction temperature and the surrounding space may exist. The pressure differential is created as a mechanism of two primary factors: (1) the temperature of the material and therefore vapor pressure of the compounds which would prefer to be in a vapor state at the given temperature; and (2) the reduced pressure during extraction, either as a means of flowing displacement gas or air and 'or through the use of another means of reducing the atmospheric pressure to facilitate a more rapid and complete extraction. The longer the distance between the active compound to be extracted and the outside surface area, the more difficult the separation of the compound may be from the base material. As such, the shortest achievable distance from the outside surface to the most interior area of the biomass tablet 100 is preferred. Maintaining this distance as short as possible reduces the need for additional pressure reduction means. The hole 105 in the center of the toroid and generally consistent cross section 130 reduces the thermal gradient in comparison to a more standard cylindrical tablet with bulged ends, for example. Thus, in addition to improving the consistency of heat transfer to the mass of the biomass tablet 100, the toroidal shape also increases the surface area to mass/volume ratio as well as shortening the path for vapor egress.

[0041] Since the concentration of active compounds is not consistent across all parts of various plants and or growing conditions of similar and or individual plants, to make the biomass tablet 100 the biomass from one or more plant(s) is batched, assayed, and prepared to a consistency conducive to further processing. The biomass mixture is homogenized and blended, such that a known and consistent concentration of the active target compounds may be achieved. To achieve a homogenous blend of the biomass, not only is the biomass blended together, but it is also desiccated to a standard moisture content so a given mass of the biomass, including standard water content, can be accurately assayed to determine the concentration of the active compounds is within a suitable target range and tolerance. A consistent concentration and composition of each biomass tablet 100 in a given lot is targeted. This process standardizes the dosage of the active and or desirable compounds providing a consistent concentration of these compounds in each tablet produced in the batch. This process ensures even distribution, and therefore standardizati on, of the concentration of active compounds across the entire batch of biomass enabling the manufacturing of biomass tablets of similar mass and precisely dosed active compounds in a biomass in a repeatable and scalable form factor.

[0042] In one or more examples of embodiments, the modified toroidal biomass tablet 100 can be produced on a modified tablet press 160 (FIG. 9B). Cam operated presses, while very robust and reliable and capable of delivering extremely consistent tablets at high speed, do not tolerate significant variance in the feedstock. Typical tablet ingredients, such as for a medicinal tablet, are fine, free flowing dry powders including pressure sensitive binders such as crystalline cellulose. In comparison, in one preferred implementation, the biomass tablet 100 consists of only raw or minimally processed plant material. Thus, use of a cam operated press is acceptable when the press is fed the typical diet of pharmaceutical grade ingredients, but biomass with varying degrees of density per unit of active compound creates consistency and compression variances. This situation is further compounded when conveying the biomass. To best contend with these new variables introduced by using biomass in lieu of the typical tablet forming powders, a modified tablet press 160 is provided (see FIG. 9B). The modified tablet press 160 is configured so as to compress the same mass, but a variable volume dose, of biomass to the same relative pressure regardless of the volume/mass and active versus inactive compound ratio. This ratio can vary significantly and is dependent upon many variables relative to the production, therefore the modified tablet press functions generally on an achieved pressure of compression instead of a volumetric stroke controlled via a fixed mechanical means. The method utilizes the modified tablet press 160 in concert with prepared, assayed homogenized biomass containing the known concentration of active compounds to prepare a biomass tablet. By using lab assay and adjusting the concentration of key active compounds in a prepared and homogenized biomass, a scale (such as scale 185 discussed below) can measure a known mass with known concentration of active compounds and transfer it into the modified tablet press 160 wherein the known mass is then pressed under a known and adjustable pressure to create a biomass tablet 100 of known potency and consistency. In other embodiments, different variations of the modified tablet press 160 may be utilized, such as an easy ejection tablet press 165 (FIG. 9A) to create an easy ejection biomass tablet 170 and a near torus tablet press 175 (FIG. 9C) to create a near torus biomass tablet 180.

[0043] Accordingly, the biomass tablet, method of forming, and tablet presses described thus far address one or more of the issues with existing devices. A biomass tablet 100 is provided which has a shape and concentration which may be standardized.

[0044] FIG. 10 shows an example tablet press machine 190 for forming and pressing the biomass tablet 100. In the shown implementation, the tablet press machine 190 is portable and provides a repeatable “dosing” of compressible media. Such media may include, but is not limited to, hemp, cannabis, vitamins, and other mediums that can benefit from precision dosing. Other press machines can be used for forming and pressing the biomass tablet 100.

[0045] The shown construction of the tablet press machine 190 includes the following criteria:

I. the tablet press machine 190 automates the production of tablets (or “doses”) with the defined metrics of a dose being that the dose: a. fits in the chamber 150 of the referenced exothermal vaporizer 155, for example, b. weighs ~100mg-150mg, c. is compacted for handling, and d. has a hole 105 in the center; and that

II. the tablet press machine 190 is portable.

[0046] Other tablet press machines may include less or more than the criteria listed above.

[0047] Below is an example process by which the tablet press machine 190 cycles and produces a dose. S1. Raw biomass media is batched, assayed, and prepared to a consistency conductive to further processing. See FIG. 11.

S2. The batched, assayed, and prepared biomass media is homogenized, blended, and desiccated to a standard moisture content to create a homogenized biomass media containing a known and consistent concentration of active compounds.

S3. The homogenized biomass media is loaded into the machine's funnel 195.

S4. The high-torque female punch 200 comes to press position. Press position is defined as being just inside the press box 205 so media cannot flow out.

S5. The high-speed male punch 210 comes to press position on a side of the press box opposite the high torque female punch.

S6. The means of providing homogenized biomass media to the press box, present as the media input 215 (shown in FIG. 11), rotates media out of the funnel 195 and over a force sensor 220. While the media input 215 appears as a wheel in FIG. 11, one skilled in the art would recognize that multiple different configurations or methods of providing homogenized biomass media may be advantageous. The force sensor 220 provides an average weight of homogenized biomass media placed in the multiple positions 225a-c on the scale 185. Utilizing multiple positions 225a-c on the scale 185 can allow to increase the load on the scale 185, so the tablet press machine 190 can have a more accurate reading of homogenized biomass media. Multiple readings may also provide the opportunity for averaging. As the tablet press machine 190 sweeps media into the press box 205, it can continue to take readings and determine the amount of media in the press box 205 versus still on the scale 185 to reduce the error in over or under filling.

S7. Now that the media is loaded into the press box 205, the high-speed male punch 210 travels from press position to the opposite side of the press box 205.

S8. The high-speed male punch 210 then reaches a park state on the opposite side of the press box 205.

S9. The high-torque female punch 200 now compresses the dose to proper compression based on feedback from the system. 510. The high-torque female punch 200 retracts.

511. The high-speed male punch 210 discharges the dose down the ejection slide 230.

512. The process repeats through steps S3-S11.

[0048] FIG. 11 shows the scale 185 of the tablet press machine 190, but FIG. 11 is more than just the scale 185. The funnel adapter 235 is filled with media from an input into the funnel 195. The funnel adapter 235 then serves the purpose of controlling the level of media in the media input 215. The gravity plate 240 is a plate that holds the media from the funnel position to be on the scale top 245. The media input's 215 position is tracked via multiple magnets (magnet 250a is shown) and a hall-effect sensor.

[0049] Now that the media is transferred to the scale 185, the multiple positions 225a-c are weighed via a force sensor 220. Averaging is applied to the overall weight and the resultant average is used to back-calculate the weight in the media funnel 195 to determine how much further to rotate the media input 215 to reach the desired weight.

[0050] During operation, the high-speed male punch 210 physically penetrates the high torque female punch 200 to produce the desired center hole 105. The male feature 260 of the high-speed male punch 210 has greater than three degrees of taper to allow for easy dose removal. The male feature's 260 size can vary as the refinement of compression and airflow play on each other. However, the male feature's 260 size may need to change for other media combinations to yield proper compression and media utilization.

[0051] Another factor is rigidity during compression. It may be important to note that the high-speed male punch's 210 and high torque female punch's 200 rigidity is based on the ability to continue to compress “waste” media through the high torque female punch 200. The female portion 265 is meant for the waste to be discharged through the high torque female punch 200.

[0052] The modified tablet press 160 is designed to press homogenized biomass media into the desired shape that fits in the DYNAVAP product line, for example. The shape of the modified tablet press 160 is not meant to be limited by the tablet press machine 190 but rather provides the operator with options for creating many different variations and compacting media in the desired functional shape(s).

[0053] The modified torus 255 (FIG. 1B) is defined as such because it is not a true torus, while it may appear as a torus to the consumer. During the refinement process to reach a dose that had the correct weight, airflow, and density, this was a preferred implementation for the above criteria. However, other implementations may be preferred for other criteria, and thus, other tablet press and punch designs are contemplated for the machine.

[0054] The outer profile 270 of the modified torus 255 is based on the cylindrical feature of the press box die. Having the outer profile 270 being completed by sidewalls results in a slightly squarer profile. Leveraging the correct amount of sidewall may allow for easier ejection from the high-speed male punch 210 and female punch 200. This ejection reduces media sticking and cleaning cycles. Further, while not specifically shown in FIG. 1B, the inner profile 273, may have a slight tapering due to the tapering of the male feature 260.

[0055] Other machines may have other ejection mechanisms such as air assist, silicone, and/or coatings.

[0056] An example control system 275 to control the tablet press machine 190 is shown in FIG. 12. While only one main/press controller 280 is shown, the control system 275 may include many additional controllers. Additionally, the inputs 285 (e.g., sensors) and outputs 290 (e.g., motors) can vary depending on the specific technique for controlling the tablet press machine 190. Moreover, while only a single input 285 and single output 290 are shown, the control system 275 may include many additional inputs 285 and/or outputs 290.

[0057] For the example shown in FIG. 12, the main/press controller 280 is the main controller for the machine. The main/press controller 280 can include a processor 295 and a memory 300. It is contemplated that the processor 295 and memory 300 may each be a single electronic device or formed from multiple devices.

[0058] The processor 295 can include a component or group of components that are configured to execute, implement, and/or perform any of the processes or functions described herein for the tablet press machine 190 of FIG. 9 or a form of instructions to cany out such processes or cause such processes to be performed. The processor 295 can include a hardware circuit (e.g., an integrated circuit) configured to carry out instructions contained in program code. In arrangements in which there are a plurality of processors 295, such processors 295 can work independently from each other or one or more processors 295 can work in combination with each other.

[0059] The memory 300 includes memory for storing one or more types of instructions and/or data. The memory 300 can include volatile and/or non-volatile memory. The memory 300 can be a component of the processor 295, can be operatively connected to the processor 295 for use thereby, or a combination of both.

[0060] In one or more arrangements, the memory 300 can include various instructions stored thereon. For example, the memory 300 can store one or more modules. Modules can be or include computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor 295, cause the processor 295 to perform the various functions disclosed for the module. While functions may be described herein for purposes of brevity, it is noted that the functions for the tablet press machine 190 are performed by the processor 295 using the instructions stored on or included in the various modules. One or more programs or modules may be stored in the memory for execution by the processor 295.

[0061] Before moving to other components of the control system, it should be understood by somebody skilled in the art that the main/press controller 280 includes many additional conventional elements typically found in a control system for a press machine. Further discussion regarding these components is not provided herein since the components and the operation thereof are conventional.

[0062] A user interface 305 is provided for an operator to configure or provide input to the tablet press machine 190 or receive communication from the tablet press machine 190. The user interface 305 can include an input apparatus and an output apparatus. The input apparatus includes a device, component, system, element, or arrangement or groups thereof that enable information/data to be entered into the press from an operator. The output apparatus includes any device, component, or arrangement or groups thereof that enable information/data to be presented to the operator. The input apparatus and the output apparatus can be combined as a single apparatus, such as a touch screen commonly used by many devices.

[0063] FIG. 12 shows the system controller 275 including a number of inputs 285 and a number of outputs 290 in communication with the main/press controller 280. While shown as separate elements, one skilled in the art may consider an input 285 combined with an output 290 (i.e., an I/O device). The number and types of input(s) 285 and output(s) 290 will depend on the design of the press. Example input(s) 285 /output(s) 290 include actuators or motors (e.g., a high speed motor, a high torque motor), speakers, visual devices, sensors (e.g., limit switches, a hall- effect sensor, a force sensor, a scale sensor), etc.

[0064] As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

[0065] It should be noted that references to relative positions (e.g., “top” and “bottom”) in this description are merely used to identify various elements as are oriented in the Figures. It should be recognized that the orientation of particular components may vary greatly depending on the application in which they are used.

[0066] For the purpose of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature. [0067] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the system, methods, and devices as shown in the various examples of embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc .) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied (e.g. by variations in the number of engagement slots or size of the engagement slots or type of engagement). The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Certain process or method steps may be performed concurrently instead of in a sequence. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various examples of embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present inventions.

[0068] While this invention has been described in conjunction with the examples of embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the examples of embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace ail known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.

[0069] The technical effects and technical problems in the specification are exemplary and are not limiting. It should be noted that the embodiments described in the specification may have other technical effects and can solve other technical problems.