A rifle cartridge with a bullet has desirable penetration capabilities and controlled separation of components upon terminal impact. In embodiments of the invention, the bullet comprises a forward component, a lead core, and a copper jacket. The lead jacket having a leading edge portion that extends to the cylindrical mid portion. The forward component may have a forward pointed ogive portion, a cylindrical mid portion, a mid ogive portion, and a pair of cylindrical portions separated by an annular groove. The jacket having a cannelure at the annular groove and the casing upper lip crimped into the cannelure.
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Claim 1: . A rifle cartridge comprising a cartridge casing with a mouth and an interior, propellant in the interior of the cartridge casing, and a bullet secured in the mouth of the cartridge casing, the bullet comprising:
Claim 2: . The rifle cartridge ofwherein the forward component has a juncture between a forward cylindrical portion surface and the mid ogival portion, and wherein the leading edge of the jacket is positioned adjacent the juncture.
Claim 3: . The rifle cartridge ofwherein the leading edge of the jacket is positioned intermediate the forward ogival portion and the mid ogival portion.
Claim 4: . The rifle cartridge offurther comprising a lead core positioned rearwardly of the forward component, wherein the lead core has at least two axially aligned portions with a separation plane therebetween.
Claim 5: . The rifle cartridge of, where in the jacket has a thickness that reduces forwardly and whereinthearearward cylindrical portionrearward of the mid ogival portionhas a smaller diameter than a mid cylindrical portion accommodating a thicker jacket at the rearward cylindrical portion.
Claim 6: . The rifle cartridge of, wherein an annular recess betweenthearearward cylindrical portionrearward of the mid ogival portionand a mid cylindrical portion has a radius that extendstheanentire longitudinal length of the annular recess and the annular recess extends entirely circumferentially around the forward component.
Claim 7: . The rifle cartridge ofwherein theannularrecess is at least 0.025 inches deep with respect toa surface ofthe mid cylindrical portionsurface.
Claim 8: . The rifle cartridge of, wherein the leading edgeportionof the jacket is positioned between the forward ogival surface and the mid ogival surface of the forward component, the leading edge having a radial width of 0.007 to 0.022 inches exposed axially when viewed from the front.
Claim 9: . The rifle cartridge ofwherein thecartridgecasing andthebullet are conformingly sized as a 300 BLK cartridge.
Claim 10: . The rifle cartridge of, further comprising a lead core positioned rearwardly of thejacketforward component; and
Claim 11: . A rifle bullet comprising:
Claim 12: . The rifle bullet ofwherein the forward tapering portion comprises two ogival portions, each ogival portion having a different ogival curvature, the two ogival portions meeting at a transition portion.
Claim 13: . The rifle bullet ofwherein the forward component is partially contained in the jacket, the forward component having a forward cylindrical surface rearward of a forward ogival surface, a mid cylindrical surface separated from the forward cylindrical surface, a rearward cylindrical surface separated from the mid cylindrical surface.
Claim 14: . The rifle bullet of, further comprising a casing andapropellant, theriflebullet seated in a mouth of the casing with the propellant in the casing, wherein the casing andthe riflebullet are conformingly sized as a 300 BLK cartridge.
Claim 15: . A rifle bullet comprising a forward component partially contained in a jacket, the forward component, when viewed in cross section comprising a forward longitudinally extending first convex region, a longitudinal first concave region adjoining and rearward of the first convex region, a second convex region rearward of and adjoining the first concave region, a second concave region rearward of and adjoining the second convex region, and a third convex region rearward of and adjoining the second concave region, wherein the first convex region and the second convex region meet at a cylindrical portion;
Claim 16: . A cartridge comprising the rifle bullet of, further comprising a casing and propellant, wherein theriflebullet seated in a mouth of the casing with a propellant in the casing, wherein the casing andthe riflebullet are conformingly sized as a 300 BLK cartridge.
Claim 17: . The rifle bullet ofwhereinthe first and second convex regionsthe first convex region and the second convex regioneach have a different ogival curvature, the first and second convex regions meeting at a cylindrical portion.
Claim 18: . The rifle bullet of, wherein the jacket thickens rearwardly.
Claim 19: . The rifle bullet ofwherein the annularscooprecesshas a radial width of 0.007 to 0.022 inches.
Claim 20: 20. The rifle cartridge ofwherein the jacket defines one or more skives extending axially on a forward portion of the jacket.
Complete technical specification and implementation details from the patent document.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/876,186 filed Jan. 21, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/448,776 filed Jan. 20, 2017 to Bryan P. Peterson, entitled “Cartridge With Improved Penetration And Expansion Bullet,” which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention is generally relates to cartridges and bullets. More particularly, to a rifle cartridge comprising a case with a jacketed bullet that separates into predefined portions at impact with a jacketed bullet and a forward nose component.
Several means have been utilized for increasing the stopping power and/or lethality of bullets. For hunting, personal protection, and law enforcement, bullets are often designed to mushroom upon impact with a target thereby maximizing the energy transfer of the bullet to the target. Generally, these bullets are designed to keep the bullet intact, that is, in one piece, after entering the target. Other bullets, particularly for military use, where the use of mushrooming bullets are controlled or prohibited by international treaties, bullets, particularly rifle bullets, are often designed to tumble, separate, and/or fragment into separate pieces to maximize the energy transfer. Consistently controlling this tumbling, separation, and/or fragmenting has been problematic. For example, the yaw state of the bullet upon target entry can dramatically affect the resulting tumbling, separation, and/or fragmentation. Any improvement in consistency in either such tumbling, separation, and/or fragmentation without negatively affecting other positive attributes of bullets, such as accuracy and range, would be welcomed by the industry. And, improvements in accuracy are always welcome.
A rifle cartridge with an improved bullet has desirable penetration capabilities and controlled and enhanced separation of components upon terminal impact. The bullet having in embodiments, an aspect ratio of length to maximum diameter of 3.5 or greater. In embodiments the bullet comprises a forward unitary component formed a generally non-malleable material, one or more malleable cores behind it, and a jacket that extends forward containing the cores and tapering conformingly around a tapering portion of the forward component. The leading edge of the jacket spaced rearwardly from a forward tip of the bullet and having a taper opposite that of the tapering portion of the forward component, thereby providing an annular concave scoop facilitating upset of the jacket upon impact with a fluidic target.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a rifle cartridge configured for firing in a modern sporting rifle, such as an AR15, that has a barrel sized for bullets larger than conventional 5.56 mm, and that has the bullet sized and propellant configured for limiting the bullet speed to subsonic velocities, and that provides jacket upset and bullet component separation at increased ranges over conventional ammunition. In embodiments, a 300 BLK cartridge, has a jacket terminating at a forward tapering portion of the bullet with a forward jacket edge defining one or more forward facing scoops that initiate jacket upset on impact with a fluidic target. The bullet having a forward component that minimally deforms and two lead cores behind the forward component.
In embodiments, the forward component having a nose portion configured as an ogival portion, a generally cylindrical forward portion, a rearward body portion that tapers forwardly and a pair of rearward most cylindrical portions. The jacket encompasses a core and extends forward to the cylindrical mid portion of the forward component and terminates at a leading edge portion. The jacket leading edge portion may have a taper oriented in a direction opposite the taper of the ogive portion of the forward component whereby a forward facing annular recess is provided. In embodiments, the leading edge is positioned rearwardly of the nose portion configured as an ogival surface portion of the forward component and forwardly of an ogival surface portion of the forward component. The leading edge of the jacket may be closer to the forward end, the tip, of the forward component than a forward edge of the cartridge casing.
The core may have two separate cores axially comprising lead stacked in the jacket. The lead cores may be of the same hardness and formulation or different hardness's and formulations. In embodiments, the jacket is in full engaging contact with the core, that is without gaps or air space.
In embodiments, the nose portion is formed of steel or other materials that are generally non-frangible and/or being minimally deformable upon impact of the bullet. In embodiments of the invention, the nose portion may be formed of materials such as ETP copper, copper alloys, brass, bronze, carbides, tungsten, tungsten carbide, silicon carbide, tungsten heavy alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, iron, polymers, polymer matrixes, fiber-reinforced polymers, carbon composite materials, and ceramics. In embodiments the core behind the forward may be lead, or other materials. In embodiments of the invention, the core material is more malleable than the nose portion. In embodiments of the invention the nose material is harder than the core material. The core behind the forward portion may be for example copper. Such a copper core may be separate or unitary with the jacket.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the forward component has a forward nose or ogival portion with an ogival surface, a second or mid ogival portion that has the longitudinal center of the bullet located therein, the second or mid ogival portion distinct from the forward ogival portion and a pair of cylindrical portions rearward of the rearward ogival portion. In embodiments, the rearward ogival portion tapers forwardly to a forward cylindrical portion from a second or mid cylindrical portion. A third or rearward cylindrical portion and a rounded end corner. The cylindrical mid portion being a maximum diameter portion of the forward component. The rearward cylindrical portion may be of a slightly less diameter than the cylindrical mid portion.
A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is that the jacket forward edge or lip engages the forward component such that the first ogival portion is forward of the jacket forward edge and the second ogival portion is rearward of the jacket forward edge. A substantially cylindrical forward portion, which may be positioned between the first and second ogival portions allowing an axial extending surface on the cylindrical forward portion where the jacket edge may engage providing flexibility and an increased tolerance during manufacturing for the positioning of the forward edge of the jacket.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the forward edge of the jacket has a reverse taper, opposite to that of the overall taper of the projectile. This reverse taper positioned at a cylindrical mid portion of forward component, presents a forward facing circumferential scoop which has minimal or no effect on flight characteristics but facilitates the initiation of the upsetting of the jacket on impact with a fluidic target. This further facilitates the stripping-off of the jacket from the steel component providing advantageous terminal effects such as fragmentation of the projectile and faster yawing. Both are associated with increased stopping power particularly where mushrooming bullets are not used. A further feature and advantage of embodiments is that a forward tapered portion of the jacket may have axially extending skives, that is, slits, grooves, or folds that may facilitate opening of the jacket upon impact.
In embodiments, a cartridge has a bullet with a forward component having a forward converging portion and a rearward portion positioned behind the forward converging portion and that extends to a rearward end of the bullet, the rearward portion that includes at least one cylindrical portion, and a jacket that has a forward jacket edge on the forward converging portion positioned with a tapering portion forward of the forward jacket edge and a tapering portion rearward of the forward jacket edge, the forward converging portion having a longitudinal length and a midpoint of the longitudinal length, and in embodiments, the forward jacket edge is positioned longitudinally within 20% of said midpoint of said longitudinal length of the tapering portion. In embodiments the forward converging portion having a centrally positioned cylindrical or substantially cylindrical portion.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the forward component is retained in the jacket forward of the lead core, the forward component having a forward ogive portion, a cylindrical forward portion adjoined to and unitary with the forward ogive portion, and a rearward portion adjoined to and unitary with the cylindrical mid portion, the entirety of the rearward portion diametrically larger than the cylindrical mid portion, the entirety of the cylindrical mid portion diametrically larger than the forward ogive portion.
A feature and advantage of embodiments is a bullet with a forward ogive portion with a forward ogive surface extends to a forward transition portion. The forward transition portion may have a forward transition portion surface. In embodiments the forward ogival portion surface may intersect the rearward ogival surface at a circular line or at a point when viewed in cross section. The transition portion then being at that point. In embodiments, the transition portion may be a cylindrical or frustoconical portion or substantially these geometric shapes, with a cylindrical or frustoconical forward transition portion surface. In embodiments, a portion of the forward ogival surface and forward transition portion surface defining a convex surface. Rearward of the forward ogival portion and the transition portion is a mid ogival portion and a cylindrical portion contiguous therewith. The forward transition portion connecting to a mid tapering portion with a mid tapering surface, the taper forward. The mid tapering portion surface presenting a convex surface. The mid tapering portion surface extending to a concave annular recess presenting a concave recess. A rearward portion adjoining the concave recess presents a convex surface.
In embodiments, forward to rearward, the front component has a convex region (the forward ogive), a concave region (transition from forward ogive to rearward tapered portion), and a convex region (the rearward tapered region) a concave region (the annular groove) and a convex region (the most rearward portion). The radius of curvature of the forward ogive portion is less that the radius of curvature of the rearward ogival portion. In embodiments each region may have compound curvatures.
In embodiments, the forward ogive portion defining a curvature that when continued on past a transition forward portion extends radially outward of a rearward ogival portion surface. The curvature of the rearward ogival portion surface defining a curvature that when extending forwardly past a transition portion is radially inward of the forward ogival portion surface. This configuration provides a contact surface for the jacket that has sufficient curvature for performance and securement of the forward component but also allows presentation of the annular scoop for facilitating opening of the jacket. Positioning the forward edge rearward of the forward ogival portion provides less air resistance from the leading edge compared to locating the forward leading jacket edge directly on the forward ogival portion. However, when impacting a fluidic target the placement of the leading edge rearwardly of the forward ogival portion is believed to have no or minimal impact on the upsetting effect of the scoop defined by the leading edge.
A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is that the forward ogived portion and forward cylindrical or transition portion of the forward component may have forward and outwardly facing cut-outs or divots that provide for a greater forward facing scooping area further enhancing the initiation of the opening of the jacket, the opening of the jacket, and the stripping off of the jacket from the forward component and allowing release of one or more core portions rearward thereof.
In embodiments, the bullet has an aspect ratio of the length of the bullet to its maximum diameter of greater than 3.0:1.0. That is, bullet length divided by bullet maximum diameter is less than 2.0. In embodiments of the invention, the bullet has an aspect ratio of the length of the bullet to its maximum diameter of greater than 3.5:1.0. In embodiments, the cartridge has an aspect ratio of cartridge length to bullet maximum diameter of about 6:1 or greater. In embodiments, the maximum diameter of the bullet is 0.50 inches. In embodiments the maximum diameter of the bullet is 0.45 inches. In embodiments the maximum diameter of the bullet is 0.36 inches.
Features and advantages of embodiments of the invention are increased accuracy and improved consistency in separation and/or fragmentation on terminal impact in a rifle cartridge.
A rifle cartridge with an improved bullet has desirable penetration capabilities, more consistent expansion, and controlled separation of components upon terminal impact.
Referring to, a cartridgesuitable for a rifle, for example a 300 BLK (also known as the .300 Blackout), has a bullet, a necked casingwith a mouth, propellant, and a primer assembly. The casinghas a rimat a casing head, a reduced diameter neck portion, and a wall portionhaving a diameter.. Suitable overall dimensions are illustrated in the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, Inc. (SAAMI) specification of. The inventive aspects are suitable for other cartridges than the 300 BLK. For different sized bullets and cartridges, the dimensions will vary proportionally. In embodiments, the rim diameter is the same as the wall portion diameter or may be greater. In other embodiments, there is no reduced diameter neck portion and the rim is a flange that extends outwardly from the wall portion.
Referring to, the rifle bullet is comprised of a forward component, a core, and a jacket. In embodiments, the coremay be a single unitary core, formed of lead or other materials, or may comprise two or more stacked cores.,.,.. The coremay be unitary with the jacketand comprise copper or a coper alloy as illustrated in. The core and jacket may be formed of copper or copper alloys. The forward component may be formed of steel or other materials such as: ETP copper, copper alloys, brass, bronze, carbides, tungsten, tungsten carbide, silicon carbide, tungsten heavy alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, iron, polymers, polymer matrixes, fiber-reinforced polymers, carbon composite materials, and various ceramics
In embodiments, the core is not bonded to the jacket, allowing separation therefrom. The bullet may have in embodiments an aspect ratio of length to maximum diameter of 3.5:1 (or simply “3.5”) or greater. In embodiments, the bullet may have an aspect ratio of length to maximum diameter of 4.0:1.0 (or simply “4.0”) or greater. The applicants have discovered that having 2 separable lead cores as shown in, as opposed to a single lead core, the bullet has more uniform fragmentation performance in gelatin penetration tests, that is, the bullet fragments do not travel as far into or through the gelatin, 19 inches vs. 24 inches. This consistent fragmentation provides more uniform energy transfer to the target. Referring to, in embodiments, the forward componentof the rifle bullethas a tipand a first or forward ogival portionwith a forward ogival portion surface, a transition forward portionwith a transition adjoining and unitary with the forward ogival portion. The mid portion may be configured as a first or forward cylindrical portionwith a forward cylindrical portion surface. A second or mid ogival portionwith a mid ogival surfaceis contiguous with the forward cylindrical portionand surface. A second or mid cylindrical surfaceof a first or mid cylindrical portionis rearward of and contiguous with the mid ogival surface. The mid cylindrical surfaceextends to an annular recess surfaceof an annular recessed portion, the recessed portion may have a smooth radiused curvature and extends longitudinally a distance of 0.04 to 0.10 inches. In embodiments the recess extends longitudinally a distance greater than 4% of the length Lof the forward component and less than 10% the length L. The recess can extend inwardly from the mid cylindrical portion surface 0.02 to 0.10 inches in embodiments. A third or rearward cylindrical surface, of a third or rearward cylindrical portion, adjoins the annular recessed portionand extends to a rearward facing end surface.
Referring in particular to, the forward ogival portion, the first or forward cylindrical portion, the mid ogival portion, the second or mid cylindrical portion, the annular recess portion, and the third or rearward cylindrical portionall being unitary with one another. In embodiments, the diameter Dof the second cylindrical portionbeing greater that the diameter Dof the first cylindrical portion. In embodiments, the diameter Dof the second cylindrical portionbeing greater than the diameter Dof the third cylindrical portion. In embodiments, the diameter of the third cylindrical portionbeing greater than the diameter Dof the first cylindrical portion.
The forward componenthas an axial length L, and the forward ogive portion extends an axial distance of L, the cylindrical mid portion an axial distance of L, the mid ogival portion a distance L, the mid cylindrical portion an axial distance L, the annular recess portion a distance L, and the rearward cylindrical portion a distance L.
In embodiments the second or mid ogival portion begins at a longitudinal mid position of the forward component, in embodiments, within 5% of the midpoint of the total length of the forward component. In embodiments, within 8% of the midpoint of the total length of the forward component. In embodiments, the diameter of the rearwardly most cylindrical portion is within 2% of the diameter of the mid cylindrical portion. In embodiments, the diameter of the rearwardly most cylindrical portion is within 5% of the diameter of the mid cylindrical portion. In embodiments, the diameter of the rearwardly most cylindrical portion is within 1% of the diameter of the mid cylindrical portion.
As best illustrated in, the first ogival portion may have a first radius of curvature Rthat is less that the radius of curvature Rof the second ogival portion rearward of the first or forward ogival portion. In embodiments of the invention, each dimension ofmay be considered an inventive aspect with reference to or compilation with other dimensions and the specific dimensions may have a range of 10% of the specific given dimensions.
The forward components may be formed of steel, aluminum, and other materials as provided herein. The jacket may comprise copper and the core may comprise lead. In embodiments the core can also be copper and may be unitary with the jacket. The bullets herein may also be formed of other materials other than those specifically identified.
In embodiments, the forward component is retained in the jacket forward of the lead core, the forward component having a forward ogive portion, a cylindrical mid portion adjoined to the forward ogive portion, and a rearward portion adjoined to the cylindrical mid portion, the entirety of the rearward portion diametrically larger than the cylindrical mid portion, the entirety of the cylindrical mid portion diametrically larger than the forward ogive portion,
In embodiments, the diameter Dof the forward cylindrical portion is 80 percent or greater of the diameter Dof the maximum diameter portion which is the mid cylindrical portion of the forward component. In embodiments, the diameter of the forward cylindrical portion is 85 percent or greater of the diameter of the maximum diameter portion and less than 92% of the diameter of the maximum diameter portion.
In embodiments the ratio of the length of the forward component to the maximum diameter of the forward component is in the range of 3.0 to 3.6. In embodiments the ratio of the length of the forward component to the diameter of the forward component is in the range of 2.9 to 4.0. In embodiments the ratio of the length of the forward component to the diameter of the forward component is in the range of 3.2 to 3.5.
In embodiments, the mid cylindrical portion rather than being cylindrical, may have a slight taper forwardly of, for example, 2 degrees or less, as measured from a line parallel to the axis. In embodiments the mid cylindrical portion may be conical with a taper of 5 degrees or less, as measured from a line parallel to the axis. Such conical mid portions may be substituted for all embodiments described or claimed herein.
Referring to, the jacket may have scores or skivesextending axially on the forward portionof the jacket. The skives may be cuts extending partially or completely through the jacket, folds in the jacket, indentations in the jacket, or other weakening of the jacket axially to facilitate tearing and opening of the jacket. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,805,057 and 6,305,292 illustrate such skives and these patents are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. The jacket may further be crimped inwardly or otherwise deformed into the annular recess as illustrated providing a cannelure. This will effectively maintain the bullet within the jacket until terminal impact and further provides an anchor location, the cannelure, to which the top edgeof the casing may be crimped to secure the bullet into the casing. In embodiments, the reduced diameter of the rearward cylindrical portion provides an enhanced transition of the jacket portion rearward of the cannelure into the cannelure. Additionally, as best shown in, the jacket thickness may increase in a rearward direction so that the reduced diameter of the rearward cylindrical portion can compensate for the increasing thickness of the jacket and thereby maintain more uniform obturating contact with the barrel when the bullet is fired.
Referring to, the jackets for the bullets have leading edge portionswith a leading edge. The outward corner of the jacket defines the leading edge, the juncture of the exterior surfaceof the jacket and the beveled or tapered surfacethat may be a frustoconical and/or concave surface. This surface faces inwardly and forwardly with respect to the bullet axis α. The leading edge provides a sharp pointed circular blade as the edge. The surfaces,defining the edge may be at an angle Aof less than 60°. The surfaces defining the edge may be at an angle of less than 70°. The surfaces defining the edge may be at an acute angle. An annular recessis defined between the bevel surfaceof the leading edge portion and the exterior surfaceof the forward component. The recess may be V-shaped in cross-section, faces forward and defining a circumferential scoop. The scoop is exposed axially, when viewed from the front of the bullet, the scoop is a ring. In embodiments, one leg of the V is directly in line with the axis α of the bullets as well as the trajectory path of the bullet. The V-shaped recess promotes upsetting of the jacket when the bullet impacts fluidic material which then urges the jacket to open, essentially by hydraulic force. The opened jacket can release the forward component and also the cores behind it maximizing the transfer of kinetic energy to the target and increasing the damage imparted to the target. The leading edge may be positioned such that the forward endof the interior surfaceof the jacketis positioned at or about at the juncturebetween the forward cylindrical portion surfaceand the mid ogival portion surfaceas illustrated in. That is, the jacket contact terminates at or about the juncture between the mid ogival portion surface and the forward cylindrical portion surface.illustrates the termination of the jacket contact on the mid ogival portion surface.illustrates the termination of the jacket contact as being on the forward cylindrical portion surface.
As best illustrated in, the width Wof the forward scoop measured radially on a plane perpendicular to the bullet axis α may be substantially the jacket thickness or slightly less at the forward edge applicable to, for example, a 300 BLK embodiment. In embodiments the radially measured scoop width Wis 0.007 to 0.022 inches. In embodiments the radially measured scoop width Wis 0.006 to 0.035 inches. In embodiments the radially measured scoop width Wis 0.0085 to 0.0150 inches. For different sized bullets and cartridges, the dimensions will vary proportionally.
Referring to, the bulletafter terminal impact in a fluidic target is depicted. The jacketmore readily peels from the forward componentof the bullet than conventional ammunition, and the dual core.,., particularly when it is a lead core, more readily separates from the jacket, providing four or more separated components. In many cases the lead core and jacket will further fragment into additional pieces.
The following U.S. patents and publications are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,863,746
U.S. Pat. No. 8,950,333
U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,057
U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,657
U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,743
U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,898
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including the references incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. With respect to the dimensions herein, invention extends to any combinations of the given dimensions and such dimensions are hereby defined to include ±10% of the given dimension. In embodiments, the given dimensions are hereby defined to include the range of dimensions of ±20% of the specified dimensions.
Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.
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April 14, 2026
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