阅读说明：本技术 一种铜棒加工用截断装置及其截断方法 (Cutting device for copper bar processing and cutting method thereof ) 是由 张卫卫 于 2021-06-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种铜棒加工用截断装置及其截断方法,包括底板,底板顶部的左侧固定连接有固定机构,固定机构包括固定箱,固定箱的正反面均开设有孔洞,固定箱内腔的两侧均固定连接有第一气缸。本发明通过设置固定机构,起到了在铜棒截断时能够对其进行固定的效果,避免铜棒在截断过程中因缺乏固定而导致位移,进而降低截断精确度甚至发生安全事故的状况,通过设置截断机构,起到了对铜棒进行快速截断的效果,同时能够避免使用切割机切割会产生铜屑的状况,解决了铜棒在生产加工过程中需要根据实际长度需求进行截断,但是现有的截断工作一般通过人工使用切割机进行,这种截断方式不仅效率低下,而且存在较大的危险系数的问题。(The invention discloses a cutting device for processing a copper bar and a cutting method thereof. The copper bar cutting device has the advantages that the fixing mechanism is arranged, the effect of fixing the copper bar when the copper bar is cut is achieved, the situation that the copper bar is displaced due to lack of fixation in the cutting process and further the cutting accuracy is reduced and even safety accidents occur is avoided, the cutting mechanism is arranged, the effect of quickly cutting the copper bar is achieved, the situation that copper scraps are generated when a cutting machine is used for cutting is avoided, the problem that the copper bar needs to be cut according to the actual length requirement in the production and processing process is solved, but the existing cutting work is generally carried out through manual use of the cutting machine, the cutting mode is low in efficiency, and the problem of large danger coefficient exists.)

1. The utility model provides a bar copper processing is with cuting device, includes bottom plate (1), its characterized in that: the left side of the top of the bottom plate (1) is fixedly connected with a fixing mechanism (2), the fixing mechanism (2) comprises a fixing box (201), holes (202) are formed in the front side and the back side of the fixing box (201), two sides of an inner cavity of the fixing box (201) are fixedly connected with first air cylinders (203), output ends of the first air cylinders (203) are fixedly connected with clamping plates (204), and the top of the bottom plate (1) and the right side of the fixing mechanism (2) are fixedly connected with a fixing plate (3);

the front end of the right side of the fixed plate (3) is fixedly connected with a cutting mechanism (4), the cutting mechanism (4) comprises a supporting plate (401), the rear side of the supporting plate (401) is fixedly connected with a second air cylinder (402), the output end of the second air cylinder (402) is fixedly connected with a push plate (403), the upper end and the lower end of the rear side of the push plate (403) are both fixedly connected with a push block (404), one end, far away from the push plate (403), of the push block (404) is fixedly connected with a cutter holder (405), and one side, far away from the push block (404), of the cutter holder (405) is provided with a cutter body (406);

the rear side of the top of the bottom plate (1) is fixedly connected with a distance adjusting mechanism (5), the distance adjusting mechanism (5) comprises an adjusting box (501), the top of the adjusting box (501) is provided with a limiting sliding hole (502), the inner cavity of the adjusting box (501) is movably connected with a threaded rod (503) through a bearing, the surface of the threaded rod (503) is in threaded connection with a threaded sleeve (504), the top of the threaded sleeve (504) is fixedly connected with a linkage rod (505), and the top of the linkage rod (505) extends to the outside of the limiting sliding hole (502) and is fixedly connected with a lifting mechanism (6);

the lifting mechanism (6) comprises a linkage plate (601), and a supporting plate (602) is fixedly connected to the lower end of one side of the linkage plate (601).

2. The cutoff device for processing the copper bar according to claim 1, wherein: the top and linkage board (601) fixed connection of linkage pole (505), spacing spout (506) have been seted up to one side of regulating box (501), one side fixedly connected with spacing slider (603) of linkage board (601), the one end that linkage board (601) were kept away from in spacing slider (603) extend to the inner chamber of spacing spout (506) and with the inner chamber sliding connection of spacing spout (506).

3. The cutoff device for processing the copper bar according to claim 1, wherein: fixed case (201) inner chamber bottom both sides have all been seted up location spout (205), the bottom fixedly connected with location slider (206) of pinch-off blades (204), the bottom of location slider (206) extend to the inner chamber of location spout (205) and with the inner chamber sliding connection of location spout (205), the equal fixedly connected with support post (207) of front end and the rear end of fixed case (201) both sides, the bottom of support post (207) and the top fixed connection of bottom plate (1).

4. The cutoff device for processing the copper bar according to claim 1, wherein: the left side and the right side of the fixed plate (3) are fixedly connected with guide wheel frames (7) at the top of the bottom plate (1).

5. The cutoff device for processing the copper bar according to claim 1, wherein: the rear end fixedly connected with fixed block (8) on fixed plate (3) right side, one side fixedly connected with locating plate (9) of fixed block (8), the position and the cutting mechanism (4) of fixed block (8) and locating plate (9) are crisscross arranges.

6. The cutoff device for processing the copper bar according to claim 1, wherein: one end of the linkage plate (601) is fixedly connected with a pointer (10), and the top of the adjusting box (501) is provided with a graduated scale (11).

7. The cutoff device for processing the copper bar according to claim 1, wherein: the cutter comprises a cutter body (406), an insert rod (407) is fixedly connected to the upper end and the lower end of one side, close to a cutter seat (405), of the cutter body (406), one end, far away from the cutter body (406), of the insert rod (407) extends to an inner cavity of the cutter seat (405), fastening bolts (408) are connected to the top and the bottom of the cutter seat (405) in a threaded mode, and the fastening bolts (408) are connected with the insert rod (407) in a threaded mode.

8. The cutoff device for processing the copper bar according to claim 1, wherein: one end of the threaded rod (503) extends to the outside of the adjusting box (501) and is fixedly connected with a rotary disc (507).

9. The cutting method of the cutting device for processing the copper bar according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: the truncation method comprises the following steps:

A. firstly, rotating a turntable (507) according to the length to be cut off, wherein the turntable (507) drives a threaded rod (503) to rotate, a threaded sleeve (504) drives a linkage rod (505) to move while the threaded rod (503) rotates, and the linkage rod (505) drives a lifting mechanism (6) to move to adjust the position;

B. manually enabling a copper rod to penetrate through the inner cavity of the fixing box (201) through the hole (202), enabling the copper rod to pass through the fixing plate (3) and enabling one end of the copper rod to be placed in the inner cavity of the supporting plate (602) for supporting;

C. then the two first air cylinders (203) can simultaneously drive the clamping plate (204) to move towards the copper bar so as to clamp the copper bar, so that the stability of the copper bar during processing and cutting is ensured;

D. after the fixing operation is finished, the second air cylinder (402) drives the push plate (403), the push block (404), the tool apron (405) and the cutter body (406) to move towards the copper rod, and the copper rod is cut off by the cutter body (406) under the support of the fixing block (8) and the positioning plate (9).

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of copper bar processing, in particular to a cutting device and a cutting method for copper bar processing.

Background

The copper bar is a rod-shaped object made of copper and zinc alloy, is named after yellow, contains 56% -68% of copper, has a melting point of 934-967 ℃, has good mechanical property and wear resistance, can be used for manufacturing precise instruments, parts of ships, shells of firearms and the like, can be changed by adding alloy elements, such as zinc, aluminum, tin, nickel and the like, can be changed in color by adding the alloy elements, can obtain gold-like materials and silver-like alloys by adding the zinc, aluminum, tin and nickel and the like along with the change of the content, can reasonably control the content, and can be used for air-conditioning pipes, refrigerator pipes, engine oil pipes, water supply pipes, various mechanical matching materials, automobile synchronizer gear rings, ship pumps, valves, water supply pipes, various mechanical matching materials, automobile synchronizer gear rings, ship pumps, ship valves, non-ferrous metal rods and the like, Structural members, friction attachments, and the like.

The copper bar needs to be cut according to actual length requirements in the production and processing processes, but the existing cutting work is generally carried out through manual cutting machines, the cutting mode is low in efficiency, and large danger coefficients exist, so that the cutting device and the cutting method for the copper bar are provided

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a cutting device and a cutting method for processing a copper bar, which have the advantage of quick cutting, and solve the problems that the copper bar needs to be cut according to the actual length requirement in the production and processing process, but the existing cutting work is generally carried out by using a cutting machine manually, and the cutting mode is not only low in efficiency, but also has larger risk coefficient.

In order to achieve the purpose, the invention provides the following technical scheme: a cutting device for processing a copper bar comprises a bottom plate, wherein a fixing mechanism is fixedly connected to the left side of the top of the bottom plate, the fixing mechanism comprises a fixing box, holes are formed in the front side and the back side of the fixing box, first air cylinders are fixedly connected to the two sides of the inner cavity of the fixing box, the output end of each first air cylinder is fixedly connected with a clamping plate, and a fixing plate is fixedly connected to the top of the bottom plate and located on the right side of the fixing mechanism;

the cutting mechanism comprises a supporting plate, a second air cylinder is fixedly connected to the rear side of the supporting plate, a push plate is fixedly connected to the output end of the second air cylinder, the upper end and the lower end of the rear side of the push plate are both fixedly connected with a push block, a cutter holder is fixedly connected to one end, away from the push plate, of the push block, and a cutter body is arranged on one side, away from the push block, of the cutter holder;

the rear side of the top of the bottom plate is fixedly connected with a distance adjusting mechanism, the distance adjusting mechanism comprises an adjusting box, the top of the adjusting box is provided with a limiting sliding hole, an inner cavity of the adjusting box is movably connected with a threaded rod through a bearing, the surface of the threaded rod is in threaded connection with a threaded sleeve, the top of the threaded sleeve is fixedly connected with a linkage rod, and the top of the linkage rod extends to the outside of the limiting sliding hole and is fixedly connected with a lifting mechanism;

the lifting mechanism comprises a linkage plate, and a supporting plate is fixedly connected to the lower end of one side of the linkage plate.

Preferably, the top of the linkage rod is fixedly connected with the linkage plate, a limiting sliding groove is formed in one side of the adjusting box, a limiting sliding block is fixedly connected with one side of the linkage plate, and one end, far away from the linkage plate, of the limiting sliding block extends to an inner cavity of the limiting sliding groove and is in sliding connection with the inner cavity of the limiting sliding groove.

Preferably, the location spout has all been seted up to the both sides of fixed case inner chamber bottom, the bottom fixedly connected with location slider of pinch-off blades, the bottom of location slider extend to the inner chamber of location spout and with the inner chamber sliding connection of location spout, the equal fixedly connected with support post in front end and the rear end of fixed case both sides, the bottom of support post and the top fixed connection of bottom plate.

Preferably, the left side and the right side of the fixing plate and the top of the bottom plate are both fixedly connected with a guide wheel frame.

Preferably, the rear end fixedly connected with fixed block on fixed plate right side, one side fixedly connected with locating plate of fixed block, the position and the cutting mechanism of fixed block and locating plate are crisscross arranges.

Preferably, one end of the linkage plate is fixedly connected with a pointer, and the top of the adjusting box is provided with a graduated scale.

Preferably, the upper end and the lower end of the cutter body, which are close to one side of the cutter holder, are fixedly connected with an inserted bar, one end, which is far away from the cutter body, of the inserted bar extends to the inner cavity of the cutter holder, fastening bolts are in threaded connection with the top and the bottom of the cutter holder, and the fastening bolts are in threaded connection with the surface of the inserted bar.

Preferably, one end of the threaded rod extends to the outside of the adjusting box and is fixedly connected with the rotating disc.

Preferably, the truncation method comprises the following steps:

A. firstly, rotating a turntable according to the length to be cut off, driving a threaded rod to rotate by the turntable, driving a linkage rod to move by a threaded sleeve when the threaded rod rotates, and driving a lifting mechanism to move by the linkage rod to adjust the position;

B. manually enabling the copper rod to penetrate through the inner cavity of the fixing box through the hole, enabling the copper rod to pass through the fixing plate and enabling one end of the copper rod to be placed in the inner cavity of the supporting plate for supporting;

C. then the two first air cylinders can simultaneously drive the clamping plates to move towards the copper bar so as to clamp the copper bar, so that the stability of the copper bar during processing and cutting is ensured;

D. after the fixing operation is finished, the second air cylinder drives the push plate, the push block, the cutter holder and the cutter body to move towards the copper rod, and the copper rod is supported by the fixing block and the positioning plate to be cut off by the cutter body.

Compared with the prior art, the invention has the following beneficial effects:

1. the invention has the advantages that the fixing mechanism is arranged, the effect of fixing the copper bar when the copper bar is cut off is achieved, the displacement caused by lack of fixation in the cutting process of the copper bar is avoided, thereby reducing the cutting accuracy and even the situation of safety accidents, achieving the effect of quickly cutting the copper bar by arranging the cutting mechanism, meanwhile, the condition that copper scraps are generated when a cutting machine is used for cutting can be avoided, the distance can be adjusted according to the length required by the copper rod by arranging the distance adjusting mechanism and the lifting mechanism, the lifting mechanism can support one end of the copper rod, the cutting work is convenient, the problem that the copper rod needs to be cut according to the actual length requirement in the production and processing process is solved, however, the existing cutting work is generally carried out by manually using a cutting machine, and the cutting mode has the problems of low efficiency and large danger coefficient.

2. The invention has the advantages that the effect of limiting and supporting the clamping plate is achieved by arranging the positioning chute and the positioning slide block, the movement track of the clamping plate is ensured, the effect of stably supporting the fixed box is achieved by arranging the supporting upright post, the stability of the fixed box is improved, the effect of positioning and supporting the cut end of the copper rod is achieved by arranging the fixed block and the positioning plate, the positions of the fixed block and the positioning plate are staggered with the cutting mechanism, so that the copper rod is conveniently cut by the cutter body, the effect of providing parameters for the adjusting position of the linkage plate is achieved by arranging the pointer and the scale, the position can be accurately moved, the cutting accuracy of the copper rod is improved, the effect of stably supporting and guiding the copper rod is achieved by arranging the two guide wheel carriers, the conveying of the copper rod is convenient, the effect of conveniently replacing the cutter body is achieved by arranging the inserted link and the fastening bolt, when the linkage plate is replaced, the fastening bolt is only required to be unscrewed to be separated from the inserted rod for fixation, and the effect of limiting the motion track of the linkage plate is achieved by arranging the limiting sliding groove and the limiting sliding block.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fixing mechanism according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the cutting mechanism and the fixing block of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the threaded rod and linkage plate of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a partial cross-sectional structure of a tool holder according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion A of FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

In the figure: 1. a base plate; 2. a fixing mechanism; 201. a fixed box; 202. a hole; 203. a first cylinder; 204. a clamping plate; 205. positioning the chute; 206. positioning the sliding block; 207. supporting the upright post; 3. a fixing plate; 4. a cutting mechanism; 401. a support plate; 402. a second cylinder; 403. pushing the plate; 404. a push block; 405. a tool apron; 406. a cutter body; 407. inserting a rod; 408. fastening a bolt; 5. a distance adjusting mechanism; 501. an adjusting box; 502. a limiting slide hole; 503. a threaded rod; 504. a threaded sleeve; 505. a linkage rod; 506. a limiting chute; 507. a turntable; 6. a lifting mechanism; 601. a linkage plate; 602. a support plate; 603. a limiting slide block; 7. a guide wheel carrier; 8. a fixed block; 9. positioning a plate; 10. a pointer; 11. a graduated scale.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

The bottom plate 1, the fixing mechanism 2, the fixing box 201, the hole 202, the first cylinder 203, the clamping plate 204, the positioning chute 205, the positioning slider 206, the supporting upright 207, the fixing plate 3, the cutting mechanism 4, the supporting plate 401, the second cylinder 402, the pushing plate 403, the pushing block 404, the tool apron 405, the cutter body 406, the inserting rod 407, the fastening bolt 408, the distance adjusting mechanism 5, the adjusting box 501, the limiting slide hole 502, the threaded rod 503, the threaded sleeve 504, the linkage rod 505, the limiting chute 506, the turntable 507, the lifting mechanism 6, the linkage plate 601, the supporting plate 602, the limiting slider 603, the guiding wheel carrier 7, the fixing block 8, the positioning plate 9, the pointer 10 and the scale 11 are all universal standard parts or parts known by those skilled in the art, and the structure and principle of the bottom plate can be known by the technical manual or by the conventional experimental method.

Referring to fig. 1-6, a cutting device for processing a copper bar comprises a bottom plate 1, wherein a fixing mechanism 2 is fixedly connected to the left side of the top of the bottom plate 1, the fixing mechanism 2 comprises a fixing box 201, holes 202 are formed in the front and back sides of the fixing box 201, first air cylinders 203 are fixedly connected to the two sides of the inner cavity of the fixing box 201, the output ends of the first air cylinders 203 are fixedly connected with clamping plates 204, and a fixing plate 3 is fixedly connected to the top of the bottom plate 1 and located on the right side of the fixing mechanism 2;

the front end on the right side of the fixed plate 3 is fixedly connected with a cutting mechanism 4, the cutting mechanism 4 comprises a supporting plate 401, the rear side of the supporting plate 401 is fixedly connected with a second air cylinder 402, the output end of the second air cylinder 402 is fixedly connected with a push plate 403, the upper end and the lower end of the rear side of the push plate 403 are both fixedly connected with a push block 404, one end of the push block 404, far away from the push plate 403, is fixedly connected with a cutter holder 405, and one side of the cutter holder 405, far away from the push block 404, is provided with a cutter body 406;

the rear side of the top of the bottom plate 1 is fixedly connected with a distance adjusting mechanism 5, the distance adjusting mechanism 5 comprises an adjusting box 501, the top of the adjusting box 501 is provided with a limiting sliding hole 502, the inner cavity of the adjusting box 501 is movably connected with a threaded rod 503 through a bearing, the surface of the threaded rod 503 is in threaded connection with a threaded sleeve 504, the top of the threaded sleeve 504 is fixedly connected with a linkage rod 505, and the top of the linkage rod 505 extends to the outside of the limiting sliding hole 502 and is fixedly connected with a lifting mechanism 6;

the lifting mechanism 6 comprises a linkage plate 601, a supporting plate 602 is fixedly connected to the lower end of one side of the linkage plate 601, the fixing mechanism 2 is arranged to achieve the effect of fixing the copper rod when the copper rod is cut off, the situation that the copper rod is not fixed and is displaced in the cutting process, the cutting accuracy is further reduced, and even safety accidents are caused is avoided, the cutting mechanism 4 is arranged to achieve the effect of quickly cutting the copper rod, the situation that copper scraps are generated when a cutting machine is used for cutting is avoided, the distance adjusting mechanism 5 and the lifting mechanism 6 are arranged to achieve the effect of adjusting the distance according to the length required by the copper rod, the lifting mechanism 6 can support one end of the copper rod, the cutting work is convenient, the problem that the copper rod needs to be cut according to the actual length requirement in the production and processing process is solved, but the existing cutting work is generally performed by manually using the cutting machine, the truncation method is not only inefficient, but also has the problem of a large risk factor.

In this embodiment, specifically, the top of the linkage rod 505 is fixedly connected with the linkage plate 601, one side of the adjusting box 501 is provided with a limiting sliding groove 506, one side of the linkage plate 601 is fixedly connected with a limiting sliding block 603, one end of the limiting sliding block 603, which is far away from the linkage plate 601, extends to an inner cavity of the limiting sliding groove 506 and is in sliding connection with the inner cavity of the limiting sliding groove 506, and the effect of limiting the movement track of the linkage plate 601 is achieved by arranging the limiting sliding groove 506 and the limiting sliding block 603.

In this embodiment, it is concrete, location spout 205 has all been seted up to the both sides of fixed case 201 inner chamber bottom, the bottom fixedly connected with location slider 206 of clamp plate 204, the bottom of location slider 206 extends to the inner chamber of location spout 205 and with the inner chamber sliding connection of location spout 205, the front end of fixed case 201 both sides and the equal fixedly connected with support post 207 in rear end, the bottom of support post 207 and the top fixed connection of bottom plate 1, through setting up location spout 205 and location slider 206, the effect spacing and the support to clamp plate 204 has been played, the motion trail of clamp plate 204 has been ensured, through setting up support post 207, the effect to fixed case 201 steady support has been played, the stability of fixed case 201 has been promoted.

In this embodiment, it is concrete, the left side of fixed plate 3 and the equal fixedly connected with in top that is located bottom plate 1 direction wheel carrier 7 on the right side, through setting up two direction wheel carriers 7, played the effect to bar copper steady support and direction, made things convenient for the transport of bar copper.

In this embodiment, it is concrete, the rear end fixedly connected with fixed block 8 on fixed plate 3 right side, one side fixedly connected with locating plate 9 of fixed block 8, the position of fixed block 8 and locating plate 9 and the crisscross arrangement of truncation mechanism 4, through setting up fixed block 8 and locating plate 9, played the effect that carries out the location support to the end of cuting of bar copper, and the position of fixed block 8 and locating plate 9 and truncation mechanism 4 have crisscrossly, consequently make things convenient for cutter body 406 to cut the bar copper.

In this embodiment, specifically, one end fixedly connected with pointer 10 of linkage board 601, the top of regulating box 501 is provided with scale 11, through setting up pointer 10 and scale 11, has played the effect of providing the parameter for linkage board 601's adjusting position to can be accurate carry out the position and remove, promote the accuracy of cutting of bar copper.

In this embodiment, specifically, the upper end and the lower end of cutter body 406 near one side of blade holder 405 all fixedly connected with inserted bar 407, the one end that cutter body 406 was kept away from to inserted bar 407 extends to the inner chamber of blade holder 405, the top and the equal threaded connection in bottom of blade holder 405 have fastening bolt 408, fastening bolt 408 and the surperficial threaded connection of inserted bar 407, through setting up inserted bar 407 and fastening bolt 408, played the effect that conveniently changes cutter body 406, only need unscrew fastening bolt 408 during the change make it break away from fixedly can with inserted bar 407.

In this embodiment, one end of the threaded rod 503 extends to the outside of the adjusting box 501 and is fixedly connected with a rotary disc 507.

In this embodiment, specifically, the truncation method includes the following steps:

A. firstly, rotating a turntable 507 according to the length to be cut off, wherein the turntable 507 drives a threaded rod 503 to rotate, the threaded rod 503 rotates, meanwhile, a threaded sleeve 504 drives a linkage rod 505 to move, and the linkage rod 505 drives a lifting mechanism 6 to move for position adjustment;

B. manually passing a copper rod through the hole 202 through the inner cavity of the fixing box 201, wherein the copper rod then passes through the fixing plate 3 and is supported by placing one end of the copper rod in the inner cavity of the supporting plate 602;

C. then the two first cylinders 203 can simultaneously drive the clamping plate 204 to move towards the copper rod so as to clamp the copper rod, so that the stability of the copper rod during processing and cutting is ensured;

D. after the fixing operation is finished, the second air cylinder 402 drives the push plate 403, the push block 404, the tool apron 405 and the cutter body 406 to move towards the copper rod, and the copper rod is cut off by the cutter body 406 under the support of the fixed block 8 and the positioning plate 9.

The standard parts used in the present application document can be purchased from the market, and can be customized according to the description of the specification and the accompanying drawings, the specific connection mode of each part adopts the conventional means of mature bolt, rivet, welding and the like in the prior art, the machines, parts and equipment adopt the conventional models in the prior art, the control mode is automatically controlled by a controller, the control circuit of the controller can be realized by simple programming of technicians in the field, the control circuit belongs to the common knowledge in the field, and the present application document is mainly used for protecting mechanical devices, so the control mode and the circuit connection are not explained in detail in the present application.

It is noted that, herein, relational terms such as first and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Also, 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. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising an … …" does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.