Interlocking Game Cups

The present disclosure relates generally to game cups for dice games, and more specifically, to a system and method for containment and storage of dice cup games.

Various dice games, such as dice poker and variations on dice poker, are well known. The traditional English game of dice poker has been imported and modified in several countries, including the Latin American game of Generala (also known as “Alert” or “Dados”). A popular version of dice poker goes by the name of Yacht in Canada, and is variously referred to as Cheerio, Yot, and Yam in the United Kingdom. A version of this game has been popularized in America as YAHTZEE® (a registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc. of Pawtucket, R.I.). The game is a sequence, or turn-based, dice game that has as a principal object to gain the highest number of points possible using a scoring scheme that associates points according to the results of rolls of several dice at a time. It can be played as a kind of solitaire or with a virtually unlimited number of players, but even when played by a group of players, the games involve nothing more than several players playing the solitaire version collectively with the rolls (or turns) by each player taking place in serially, or in order. Several countries have introduced scoring variations, though the general principals of the game remain largely unchanged.

Various dice games are played by throwing a group of six-sided dice during a turn. For example, at each turn, each player may get five dice to roll. All five dice are placed in a dice cup and the cup is covered with a hand and shaken. The cup is then turned over and the dice spilled onto a surface. The dice are allowed to come to rest, and the top faces of the dice are inspected for matches, sequences, and the like. Depending on the kind of “hand” the player wishes to achieve during a turn, the player may either score the roll and end the turn, or he/she may select some dice in the roll to set aside as members of the hand yet to be achieved. For instance, a player might roll two dice showing a pair of 2s, and he/she might set those aside as a pair either to try to match on subsequent rolls, or to combine with other matches to achieve a better poker hand (for instance, a full house or two pairs). Under the typical rules, each player has a maximum of three rolls on each turn, which include the initial roll of all five dice, and then two possible but optional re-rolls of some or all dice. After three rolls the player must choose one of several (e.g., 13 categories) of poker hands to score and enter a score for that category.

Some dice games are played by hand, wherein a user places a number of dice (e.g., 5 dice) in his/her hand and tosses the dice onto a surface. Some dice games are played using a cup, wherein a user places a number of dice (e.g., 5 dice) in a cup and then turns the cup over to spill the dice onto a surface. A single cup can be passed around from one player to the next to roll the dice. Storage of multiple dice and the cup (if a cup is provided) can be bulky, awkward, and take up excess space, and the dice can become lost if not stored properly.

Various aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure may be embodied in an interlocking cup. The interlocking cup can include a side wall, an opening disposed at a first end of the side wall, a base disposed at a second end of the side wall, a first interlocking feature disposed at an inner surface of the side wall, whereby the interlocking cup is configured to be coupled to a second interlocking cup received at least partially into the interior volume, and a second interlocking feature disposed at an outer surface of the side wall, whereby the interlocking cup is configured to be coupled to a third interlocking cup received at least partially over the outer surface of the side wall. The opening can provide access to the interior volume of the interlocking cup. The base can define a bottom surface of the interior volume.

Various aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure may be embodied in an interlocking cup assembly. The interlocking cup assembly can include a first interlocking cup and a second interlocking cup configured to be stacked together with the first interlocking cup. The first interlocking cup can include a first side wall, a first opening disposed at a first end of the first side wall, the first opening provides access to an interior volume of the first interlocking cup, a first base disposed at a second end of the first side wall, the first base defines a bottom surface of the interior volume of the first interlocking cup, a first interlocking feature disposed at an inner surface of the first side wall, and a second interlocking feature disposed at an outer surface of the first side wall. The second interlocking cup can include a second side wall, a second opening disposed at a first end of the second side wall, the second opening provides access to an interior volume of the second interlocking cup, a second base disposed at a second end of the first side wall, the second base defines a bottom surface of the interior volume of the second interlocking cup, a third interlocking feature disposed at an inner surface of the second side wall, and a fourth interlocking feature disposed at an outer surface of the second side wall. The second interlocking cup can be configured to be coupled to the first interlocking cup by receiving the first interlocking cup into the second opening of the second interlocking cup and rotating the first interlocking cup with respect to the second interlocking cup to interlock the third interlocking feature of the second interlocking cup with the second interlocking feature of the first interlocking cup. The second interlocking cup can be configured to be coupled to the first interlocking cup by receiving the second interlocking cup into the first opening of the first interlocking cup and rotating the first interlocking cup with respect to the second interlocking cup to interlock the fourth interlocking feature of the second interlocking cup with the first interlocking feature of the first interlocking cup.

Various aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure may be embodied in a method for assembling an interlocking cup assembly. The method can include disposing at least one item into an internal volume of a first interlocking cup, receiving a second interlocking cup into an opening of the first interlocking cup so as to stack the first interlocking cup together with the second interlocking cup, rotating the second interlocking cup with respect to the first interlocking cup so as to interlock a first interlocking feature of the first interlocking cup with a fourth interlocking feature of the second interlocking cup, and capturing the at least one item between a first base of the first interlocking cup and a second base of the second interlocking cup.

These and other embodiments may optionally include one or more of the following features.

The first interlocking feature can comprise a first ridge extending from the inner surface of the side wall. The second interlocking feature can comprise a second ridge extending from the outer surface of the side wall. The second interlocking feature can further comprise a groove disposed in the outer surface of the side wall. The groove can be at least partially defined by the second ridge. The interlocking cup can further include a longitudinal groove disposed in the outer surface of the side wall, wherein the longitudinal groove provides access to the groove.

The first interlocking feature can comprise a first plurality of ridges extending from the inner surface of the side wall. The second interlocking feature can comprise a second plurality of ridges extending from the outer surface of the side wall.

The outer surface can comprise a first outer surface portion disposed at a first side of the second interlocking feature and a second outer surface portion disposed at a second, opposite side of the second interlocking feature, wherein the first outer surface portion is oriented at a first angle with respect to a centerline axis of the interlocking cup and the second outer surface portion is oriented at a second angle with respect to the centerline axis of the interlocking cup, and the first angle is different from the second angle. The first angle is a non-parallel angle. The first outer surface portion can intersect the second outer surface portion at a location between the second interlocking feature and the first end of the side wall.

The interlocking cup can further comprise a lid configured to be coupled to the side wall at the first opening via the first interlocking feature.

The first interlocking feature can be located between 0% and 25% of a first distance from the opening to the base. The second interlocking feature can be located between 25% and 75% of a second distance from the opening to the base.

The first interlocking cup and the second interlocking cup can be configured such that, in response to the first interlocking cup being interlockingly stacked together with the second interlocking cup, the first base of the first interlocking cup is spaced apart from the second base of the second interlocking cup by a dimension so as to define a volume between the first base and the second base for storing at least one item. The dimension can be between 20% and 50% of a total height of the second interlocking cup. The interlocking cup assembly can further comprise a lid configured to be coupled to at least one of (i) the first opening of the first interlocking cup via the first interlocking feature or (ii) the second opening of the second interlocking cup via the third interlocking feature.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of the following description and accompanying drawings.

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this disclosure and the teachings herein. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step.

As used herein, the term “additive manufacturing” encompasses any method or process whereby a three-dimensional object is produced by creation of a substrate or material to an object, such as by addition of successive layers of a material to an object to produce a manufactured product having an increased mass or bulk at the end of the additive manufacturing process than the beginning of the process. In contrast, traditional manufacturing (e.g., forms of subtractive manufacturing) by machining or tooling typically relies on material removal or subtractive processes, such as cutting, lathing, drilling, grinding, and/or the like, to produce a final manufactured object that has a decreased mass or bulk relative to the starting workpiece. Other traditional manufacturing methods include forging or casting, such as investment casting, which utilizes the steps of creating a form, making a mold of the form, and casting or forging a material (such as metal) using the mold. As used herein, the term “additive manufacturing” should not be construed to encompass fabrication or joining of previously formed objects.

A variety of additive manufacturing technologies are commercially available. Such technologies include, for example, fused deposition modeling, polyjet 3D printing, electron beam freeform fabrication, direct metal laser sintering, electron-beam melting, selective laser melting, selective heat sintering, selective laser sintering, stereolithography, multiphoton photopolymerization, and digital light processing. These technologies may use a variety of materials as substrates for an additive manufacturing process, including various plastics and polymers, metals and metal alloys, ceramic materials, metal clays, organic materials, and the like. Any method of additive manufacturing and associated compatible materials, whether presently available or yet to be developed, are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Systems, apparatus, and methods for an interlocking cup arrangement include a first interlocking cup configured to receive a second interlocking cup. The first interlocking cup includes a tab or projection extending from an inner diameter surface of the first interlocking cup that is received into a groove formed in an outer diameter surface of the second interlocking cup. The first interlocking cup can be rotated with respect to the second interlocking cup to cause the tab to slide into the groove to interlock the first interlocking cup with the second interlocking cup.

Various aspects of an interlocking cup arrangement provide a tapered cup that is stackable to enhance shipping and storing of a plurality of cups. Various aspects of an interlocking cup arrangement provide a tapered cup that is stackable and interlocking to enhance storing of one or more items (e.g., dice, game instructions, writing utensil, etc.) between stacked/interlocked cups.

1 FIG.A 1 FIG.B 1 FIG.C 1 FIG.D 100 100 100 100 100 100 With reference to,,, and, a top perspective view, a bottom perspective view, a side view, and a top view, respectively, of a stackable and interlocking cupis illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. The interlocking cupcan be made using an additive manufacturing process, such as fused deposition modeling for example. The interlocking cupcan be made using injection molding. The interlocking cupcan be configured to hold, retain, and/or store one or more items (e.g., dice, game instructions, writing utensil, etc.). The interlocking cupcan be used to hold and/or store game items such as dice. In this regard, the interlocking cupcan be referred to herein as a dice cup.

100 102 104 106 102 108 100 110 106 100 100 102 106 100 102 106 108 112 104 110 110 111 The interlocking cupmay have a generally cylindrical or tube-shaped configuration with an upper portion, one or more side walls, and a lower portion. The upper portioncan include a wide-mouth openingto the interior of the cup. A basemay be disposed at the lower portionof the cup. The cupcan be tapered so that the upper portionis larger than the lower portion. In particular, if the cupis generally cylindrical, then the diameter of the upper portionmay be larger than the diameter of the lower portion. The openingcan provide access to an interior volume defined by the inner surfaceof the side walland the base. The basecan define a bottom surfaceof the interior volume.

104 112 114 100 112 114 112 112 100 116 100 100 100 116 116 100 108 116 100 116 116 100 2 FIG.B The side wallcan include an inner surfaceand an outer surface. In particular, if the cupis generally cylindrical, then the inner surfacecan be an inner diameter surface and the outer surfacecan be an outer diameter surface. The inner surfacecan be configured to engage an outer surface of a cup stacked thereon (e.g., see). The inner surfaceof the cupcan include one or more interlocking features(also referred to herein as a first interlocking feature and/or a third interlocking feature) that allow the cupto be selectively attached to another cup. The interlocking cupcan be coupled to a second (or third) interlocking cup received at least partially into the interior volume of the cupvia the interlocking features. For example, the interlocking featurecan allow the cupto be interlocked with a second cup received in the opening. The interlocking featurecan be a tab (e.g., a protrusion) extending toward a centerline of the cup. The interlocking featurecan be a thread. As used herein, the term “thread” means a ridge or groove structure. The interlocking featurecan be used to rotatingly interlock the cupwith a second cup.

116 102 116 102 106 116 108 110 116 108 110 190 108 110 190 108 110 190 108 110 190 108 110 190 The interlocking featurecan be located at the upper portion. The interlocking featurecan be located closer to the upper portionthan to the lower portion. Stated differently, the interlocking featurecan be located closer to the openingthan to the base. In various aspects, the interlocking featurecan be located between 0% and 50% of the distance from the openingto the base(measured along the centerline axis), between 0% and 25% of the distance from the openingto the base(measured along the centerline axis), between 0% and 15% of the distance from the openingto the base(measured along the centerline axis), between 0% and 10% of the distance from the openingto the base(measured along the centerline axis), or between 2% and 10% of the distance from the openingto the base(measured along the centerline axis).

114 100 118 116 100 118 100 114 118 118 100 118 120 114 118 114 120 120 116 100 The outer surfaceof the cupcan include one or more corresponding interlocking features(also referred to herein as a second interlocking feature and/or a fourth interlocking feature)—i.e., corresponding to the interlocking features—that allow the cupto be selectively attached to another cup. The interlocking featurecan allow the cupto be interlocked with a second (or third) cup received over the outer surface. The interlocking featurecan be formed as a thread. The interlocking featurecan be formed as a ridge extending away from a centerline of the cup. The interlocking featurecan include a corresponding groovedisposed in the outer surface. Stated differently, the interlocking featurecan include a ridge extending rom the outer surface, wherein the ridge at least partially defines the groove. The groovecan be configured to receive a corresponding interlocking feature (e.g., similar to interlocking feature) of a second cup stacked together with the cup.

118 100 118 108 110 190 108 110 190 108 110 190 108 110 190 108 110 190 The interlocking featurecan be located at a middle portion of the cup. In various aspects, the interlocking featurecan be located between 20% and 80% of the distance from the openingto the base(measured along the centerline axis), between 0% and 25% of the distance from the openingto the base(measured along the centerline axis), between 25% and 75% of the distance from the openingto the base(measured along the centerline axis), between 33% and 67% of the distance from the openingto the base(measured along the centerline axis), or between 40% and 60% of the distance from the openingto the base(measured along the centerline axis).

1 FIG.C 114 122 120 122 120 122 118 122 118 118 122 190 100 120 114 100 114 120 112 116 100 120 116 100 100 106 100 108 116 190 114 122 100 116 120 With particular focus on, the outer surfacecan define a longitudinal groovethat provides access to the groove. Stated differently, the longitudinal groovecan be disposed at an opening of the groove. The longitudinal groovecan be disposed perimetrically between the interlocking featureand a longitudinally extending ridge. The longitudinal groovecan be disposed perimetrically between a first interlocking featureand a second, adjacent interlocking feature. The longitudinal groovecan extend substantially parallel (e.g., ±10°) to the centerline axisof the cup. The groovecan be formed as a helical groove extending around the outer surfaceof the cup. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer surfaceincludes three groovesand the inner surfaceincludes three interlocking features; though the cupcan include any suitable number of groovesand interlocking features(e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, etc.). To interlock a second cup with the first cup, the cupcan be stacked within an interior volume of the second cup (i.e., the lower portionof the cupis placed into an openingof the second cup). An interlocking featureof the second cup can be moved longitudinally (i.e., parallel to the centerline axis) with respect to the outer surfaceinto the longitudinal groove. The second cup can then be rotated with respect to the first cupso that the interlocking featureof the second cup slides along the groove.

114 114 118 114 118 114 120 114 190 114 190 114 114 114 114 105 118 120 112 104 190 100 112 114 100 114 112 114 a b a a b a b a b a a b. 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 In various aspects, the outer surfacecan include a lower outer surface portiondisposed below the interlocking featureand an upper outer surface portiondisposed above the interlocking feature. The lower outer surface portioncan be flush with the groove. The lower outer surface portioncan be oriented at a first angle θwith respect to the centerline axis. The upper outer surface portioncan be oriented at a second angle θwith respect to the centerline axis. The first angle θcan be a non-parallel angle. The first angle θcan be different from the second angle θ. The first angle θcan be greater than the second angle θ. In various aspects, a maximum outer diameter of the lower outer surface portionis less than a minimum outer diameter of the upper outer surface portion. The lower outer surface portioncan intersect the upper outer surface portionat an interfacelocated above the interlocking feature(i.e., above the groove). In various aspects, the inner surfaceof the side wallcan be oriented at an angle (e.g., a third angle) with respect to the centerline axis. The third angle can be constant along the height of the cup. Stated differently, the angle of the inner surfacemeasured in line with the lower outer surface portion(i.e., measured at the same height of the cupas the lower outer surface portion) can be the same as the angle of the inner surfacemeasured in line with the upper outer surface portion

2 FIG.A 2 FIG.B 2 FIG.C 2 FIG.A 2 FIG.C 1 FIG.A 1 FIG.D 201 100 100 a b With reference to,, and, a top perspective view, a side view, and a section view, respectively, of a stacked cup arrangementincluding a first interlocking cupand a second interlocking cupis illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. With respect tothrough, elements with like element numbering, as depicted inthrough, are intended to be the same and will not necessarily be repeated for the sake of clarity.

2 FIG.A 2 FIG.A 100 100 100 108 100 100 108 100 100 100 100 100 100 a b a b b a b b a b b a b In the stacked and interlocked position (see), the first interlocking cupencloses the interior volume of the second cup. Stated differently, the first cupcan cover the openingof the second cup. The first cupcan be configured to be received within the openingof the second cup. The first cupcan be concentric with the second cupin the stacked and interlocked position. Although two cups are illustrated in a stacked configuration in, it should be understood that the second cupcan be interlocking stacked into a third cup in a manner similar to how the first cupis stacked into the second cup, and that third cup can be interlocking stacked into a fourth cup, and so on and so forth.

100 100 102 100 108 100 100 116 100 120 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 b a b a b a b b b a a b a b a b a. The second cupcan receive the first cupat the top portionthereof. The first cupcan be received at least partially into the opening. The first cupcan be threadingly coupled to the second cup. The interlocking featureof the second cupcan engage the corresponding grooveof the first cup. The second cupcan be rotated in a first rotational direction (e.g., clockwise) with respect to the first cupto a tightened position. The second cupcan be rotated in a second rotational direction (e.g., counterclockwise) with respect to the first cupto a loosened position to decouple the second cupfrom the first cup

100 230 102 230 108 230 100 116 100 232 230 230 100 230 100 230 100 a a a a a a a a a. The first (or uppermost) cupcan receive a lidat the top portionthereof. The lidcan be received at least partially into the opening. The lidcan be threadingly coupled to the first cup. The interlocking featureof the first cupcan engage a corresponding grooveof the lid. The lidcan be rotated in a first rotational direction (e.g., clockwise) with respect to the first cupto a tightened position. The lidcan be rotated in a second rotational direction (e.g., counterclockwise) with respect to the first cupto a loosened position to decouple the lidfrom the first cup

2 FIG.C 110 100 110 100 292 240 110 110 292 294 100 294 100 294 100 292 a a b b a b b b b In the interlocked position (see), the baseof the first cupcan be spaced apart (along the axial direction) from the baseof the second cupby a dimensionso as to define a volume (delineated by a dashed line) between the baseand the base. In various aspects, the dimensioncan be between 20% and 50% of a total heightof the second cup, between 20% and 40% of a total heightof the second cup, or between 25% and 35% of a total heightof the second cup. In various aspects, the dimensioncan be between 8 mm and 40 mm (0.314 in.-1.575 in.), between 8 mm and 18 mm (0.314 in.-0.709 in.), between 10 mm and 18 mm (0.394 in.-0.709 in.), or between 12 mm and 18 mm (0.472 in.-0.709 in.).

3 FIG. 201 242 240 100 100 242 240 242 240 a b With reference to, a section view of the stacked cup arrangementhaving a plurality of itemsdisposed in the volumebetween the first interlocking cupand the second interlocking cupis illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. The itemscan be any suitable item that fits in the volume. In various aspects, the itemsare game dice. The volumecan be configured to store a plurality of game dice, such as two game dice, three game dice, four game dice, five game dice, six game dice, or any other suitable number of game dice.

4 FIG. 3 FIG. 201 246 244 100 230 244 230 110 100 246 240 246 246 244 246 244 240 a a a With reference to, a section view of the stacked cup arrangementhaving a plurality of itemsdisposed in a volume (delineated by a dashed line) between the first interlocking cupand the lidis illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. The volumecan be defined between the lidand the baseof the first cup. The itemscan be any suitable item that fits in the volume. In various aspects, the itemsare game dice. In various aspects, the itemsinclude a writing utensil, game instructions, or the like. The volumecan be configured to store a plurality of items. The volumecan be greater than the volume(see).

5 FIG.A 5 FIG.B 5 FIG.C 2 FIG.A 2 FIG.C 530 230 530 With reference to,, and, a top perspective view, a top view, and a side view, respectively, of an example lidis illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. In various aspects, the lidshown inthroughcan be similar to the lid.

530 502 504 506 502 508 530 510 506 530 530 502 506 530 502 506 508 504 510 510 511 The lidmay have a generally cylindrical or tube-shaped configuration with an upper portion, one or more side walls, and a lower portion. The upper portioncan include a wide-mouth openingto the interior of the lid. A basemay be disposed at the lower portionof the lid. The lidcan be tapered so that the upper portionis larger than the lower portion. In particular, if the lidis generally cylindrical, then the diameter of the upper portionmay be larger than the diameter of the lower portion. The openingcan provide access to an interior volume defined by the side walland the base. The basecan define a bottom surfaceof the interior volume.

504 512 514 530 512 514 514 530 518 530 230 518 530 514 518 518 530 518 520 514 520 116 530 2 FIG.C 2 FIG.C a The side wallcan include an inner surfaceand an outer surface. In particular, if the lidis generally cylindrical, then the inner surfacecan be an inner diameter surface and the outer surfacecan be an outer diameter surface. The outer surfaceof the lidcan include one or more interlocking featuresthat allow the lidto be selectively attached to a cup (e.g., see the lidof). The interlocking featurecan allow the lidto be interlocked with a cup received over the outer surface. The interlocking featurecan be formed as a thread. The interlocking featurecan be formed as a ridge extending away from a centerline of the lid. The interlocking featurecan define a corresponding groovedisposed in the outer surface. The groovecan be configured to receive a corresponding interlocking feature (e.g., see the interlocking featureof) of a cup stacked together with the lid.

5 FIG.C 2 FIG.C 514 522 520 522 590 530 520 514 530 514 520 518 530 520 516 530 530 506 530 116 590 514 522 530 520 a With particular focus on, the outer surfacecan define a longitudinal groovethat provides access to the groove. The longitudinal groovecan extend substantially parallel (e.g., ±5°) to the centerline axisof the lid. The groovecan be formed as a helical groove extending around the outer surfaceof the lid. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer surfaceincludes three groovesand three interlocking features; though the lidcan include any suitable number of groovesand interlocking features(e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, etc.). To interlock a cup with the lid, the lidcan be stacked within an interior volume of the cup (i.e., the lower portionof the lidis placed into an opening of the cup). An interlocking feature of the cup (e.g., see the interlocking featureof) can be moved longitudinally (i.e., parallel to the centerline axis) with respect to the outer surfaceinto the longitudinal groove. The lidcan then be rotated with respect to the cup so that the interlocking feature of the cup slides along the groove.

530 535 535 530 535 530 535 504 535 511 530 535 508 530 535 508 535 502 530 535 504 The lidcan include a handle. The handlecan bisect the lid. The handlecan bisect the internal volume of the lid. The handlecan extend between and to opposing sides of the side wall. The handlecan extend from the bottom surfaceof the lid. The handlecan protrude from the openingto provide a surface for a user to grasp the lid. The handlecan form a tab protruding from the opening. The handlecan extend beyond (e.g., proud of) the upper portionof the lid. Stated differently, the handlecan extend above the side wall.

An interlocking cup assembly or kit can include a plurality of interlocking cups as described herein in a stacked and interlocked configuration with one or more items (e.g., game dice, etc.) stored in an interior volume between two or more of the stacked cups. The top-most cup can include a lid.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “various aspects,” “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “an example aspect,” “various embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f), unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.