SPECIFICATION

TECHICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure is in the technical field of bagging deformable objects, such as raw meat products. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of bagging deformable objects by conveying the deformable objects through an object hom that holds the bag opening in a non-rectangular shape based on a two-dimensional profile of the deformable object.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Deformable objects can be difficult to manipulate using automated tools. The deformable nature of the objects does not lend itself to being manipulated by traditional tools, such as pincers. In addition, when it comes to bagging deformable objects, the bags themselves are deformable and difficult to manipulate with automated tools. The combination of the deformability of the objects and the deformability of the bags makes the task of automatedly bagging deformable objects a significant challenge. These challenges with bagging deformable objects reduce or eliminate the advantages of reliability and repeatability of using automated systems.

[0003] The difficulties with bagging deformable objects are compounded when the deformable objects are raw meat products, such as raw beef cuts. Raw meat products come in large ranges of sizes, shapes, and weights. While a human operator may be able to properly prepare bags to receive raw meat products of various shapes, sizes, and weights, automated systems typically do not have such versatility for a single tool to be able to properly bag raw meat products across the large ranges of sizes, shapes, and weights of the raw meat products. SUMMARY

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] In a first embodiment, a system for bagging deformable objects of various sizes includes a conveyor, an object hom comprising fins, and a bag placement system. The conveyor has a conveying surface configured to convey a deformable object in a downstream direction. The bag placement system is configured to place a bag on the object hom with the fins located inside of an opening of the bag. The fins are configured to conform the opening of the bag into a non-rectangular shape. The non-rectangular shape of the bag is based on a two-dimensional profile of the deformable object. The fins are further configured to hold the opening of the bag in the non-rectangular shape as the deformable object passes through the opening into the bag.

[0006] In a second embodiment, the deformable object of the first embodiment is a food product.

[0007] In a third embodiment, the food product of the second embodiment is a raw meat product.

[0008] In a fourth embodiment, each of the fins of any of the preceding embodiments is movable between a first position and a second position.

[0009] In a fifth embodiment, each of the fins of the fourth embodiment is a passive fin that is biased toward the first position and is configured to move toward the second position in response to contact between the deformable object and the passive fin.

[0010] In a sixth embodiment, the first position of the fifth embodiment corresponds with a smaller area of the shape and the second position corresponds with a larger area of the shape.

[0011] In a seventh embodiment, the passive fin of the sixth embodiment has a non-planar contact surface configured to progressively increase the opening of the bag in response to further contact of the deformable object with the passive fin. [0012] In an eighth embodiment, each of the fins of the fourth embodiment is an actively-controlled fin that is movable between the first position and the second position by an actuator.

[0013] In a ninth embodiment, the fins of the eighth embodiment include an upper fin, a first lower fin, a second lower fin, a first intermediate fin, and a second intermediate fin. The upper fin, the first and second lower fins, and the first and second intermediate fins are positionable such that the non-rectangular shape is an irregular pentagonal shape.

[0014] In a tenth embodiment, the upper fin of the ninth embodiment is at a fixed lateral position with respect to the conveying surface and wherein the upper fin is positionable vertically at a vertical position within a range of vertical positions with respect to the conveying surface.

[0015] In an eleventh embodiment, the first and second lower fins of the tenth embodiment are at fixed vertical positions with respect to the conveying surface and wherein each of the first and second lower fins is positionable laterally within a range of lateral positions with respect to the conveying surface.

[0016] In a twelfth embodiment, the first and second intermediate fins of the eleventh embodiment are coupled to the first and second lower fins, respectively, such that the first and second intermediate fins move laterally with the first and second lower fins, respectively.

[0017] In a thirteenth embodiment, the first intermediate fin of the twelfth embodiment is capable of moving vertically with respect to the conveying surface in a range between the fixed vertical position of the first lower fin and the vertical position of the upper fin, and wherein the second intermediate fin is capable of moving vertically with respect to the conveying surface in a range between the fixed vertical position of the second lower fin and the vertical position of the upper fin.

[0018] In a fourteenth embodiment, the fins of any of the eighth to thirteenth embodiments are arranged in an arcuate shape when the fins are in the first position.

[0019] In a fifteenth embodiment, movement of each of the fins from the first position to the second position in the fourteenth embodiment is a radially-outward movement with respect to the arcuate shape. [0020] In a sixteenth embodiment, each of the fins of any of the eighth to fifteenth embodiments is independently movable by the actuator with respect to the other fins.

[0021] In a seventeenth embodiment, the fins of the fourth embodiment include a first actively-controlled fin movable by one or more actuators, a second actively -controlled fin movable by the one or more actuators, and passive fins. Each of the fins is biased toward the first position and is configured to move toward the second position in response to contact from the deformable object.

[0022] In an eighteenth embodiment, after the bag of the seventeenth embodiment is placed on the object hom with the fins located inside of the opening of the bag, the one or more actuators are configured to move the first and second actively-controlled fins away from each other to engage the opening of the bag.

[0023] In a nineteenth embodiment, the first and second actively-controlled fins of the eighteenth embodiment are at a fixed vertical position with respect to the conveying surface. The one or more actuators are configured to move the first and second actively-controlled fins away from each other by moving the first and second actively-controlled fins laterally away from each other in a direction substantially parallel to the conveying surface.

[0024] In a twentieth embodiment, the passive fins of the nineteenth embodiment are arranged in an arcuate shape between the first and second actively-controlled fins.

[0025] In a twenty first embodiment, a system bags deformable objects of various sizes. The system includes a conveyor, an object hom, a bag placement system, and an actuator. The conveyor is configured to convey a deformable object in a downstream direction. The object hom has a conical shape with an inlet and an outlet, wherein a cross sectional area of the inlet is larger than a cross-sectional area of the outlet. The conical shape of the object hom is adjustable. The bag placement system is configured to place a bag on the object hom with the outlet located inside of an opening of the bag. The actuator is configured to engage a side of the object hom to adjust the conical shape of the object hom based on a size of the deformable object.

[0026] In a twenty second embodiment, the object hom of the twenty first embodiment is made from a single sheet material with overlapping ends. The actuator is configured to adjust the conical shape of the object horn by increasing or decreasing an amount of overlap of the ends of the single sheet material.

[0027] In a twenty third embodiment, the object hom of any of the twenty first or twenty second embodiment includes a plurality of arcuate-shaped fins arranged to form the conical shape.

[0028] In a twenty fourth embodiment, one or more of the plurality of arcuate-shaped fins of the twenty third embodiment is expandable to increase the size of the conical shape.

[0029] In a twenty fifth embodiment, the system of any of the twenty first to twenty fourth embodiments further includes a second actuator configured to engage a second side of the object hom. The actuator and the second actuator are arranged to move toward each other with the object hom therebetween to reduce a size of the conical shape. The actuator and the second actuator are arranged to move away from each other to increase a size of the conical shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0030] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0031] Figs. 1 A and IB depict side and rear views, respectively, of an example of a system for conveying deformable objects;

[0032] Figs. 2A and 2B depict side and rear views, respectively, of an example of the system shown in Figs. 1 A and IB after the deformable objects have been conveyed a distance by the conveying system in the downstream direction;

[0033] Figs. 3A to 3E depict instances of an embodiment of a system for bagging deformable objects of various sizes, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0034] Figs. 4A to 4E depict instances of an example of the system shown in Figs. 3A to 3E bagging another deformable object of a different size, in accordance with the embodiments described herein; [0035] Fig. 5 depicts an embodiment of an object hom having actively -controlled fins, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0036] Figs. 6A to 6E depict end views of examples of movements of the fins by the actuator in the system shown in Fig. 5, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0037] Figs. 7A and 7B depict instances of an example of the operation of the fins shown in Fig. 5 to conform the opening of a bag into a non-rectangular shape and hold the opening of the bag in the non-rectangular shape, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0038] Fig. 8 A depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of an object hom having actively-controlled fins, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0039] Figs. 8B to 8D each depict an end view of embodiments of a non-rectangular shapes of bag openings formed by the fins shown in Fig. 8 A and profiles of deformable objects, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0040] Figs. 9A and 9B depict perspective views of an object hom usable in a system for bagging deformable objects of various sizes, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0041] Fig. 10 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of an object hom that has a combination of actively-controlled and passive fins, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0042] Fig. 11 depicts an end view of an embodiment of a system having an object hom with a conical shape, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0043] Figs. 12A to 12C depict top views of an embodiment of the system shown in Fig. 11 with an actuator configured to engage a side of the object hom to adjust the conical shape of the object hom based on a size of the deformable object, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0044] Figs. 13A and 13B depict end views of an example of an object hom having a conical shape formed from two arcuate-shaped fins, in accordance with the embodiments described herein;

[0045] Fig. 14 depicts an example embodiment of a system that may be used to implement some or all of the embodiments described herein; and [0046] Fig. 15 depicts a block diagram of an embodiment of a computing device, in accordance with the embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The present disclosure describes embodiments of bagging deformable objects, such as meat products. In particular, the embodiments described herein include object horns that are configured to conform the opening of the bag into a non-rectangular shape. The non- rectangular shape of the bag is based on a two-dimensional profile of the deformable object. The fins are further configured to hold the opening of the bag in the non-rectangular shape as the deformable object passes through the opening into the bag.

[0048] Figs. 1 A and IB depict side and rear views, respectively, of an example of a system 100 for conveying deformable objects. In the depicted example, the system 100 includes a conveying system 102 that includes a conveyor belt 104. The conveyor belt 104 includes a conveying surface 106 and the conveyor belt 104 is configured to convey objects on the conveying surface 106 in a downstream direction 108. In the depicted example, the conveyor belt 104 is conveying deformable objects llOi and IIO2 (collectively, deformable objects 110). In some embodiments, the deformable objects 110 can be any type of food product, such as a piece of raw meat, a vacuum-sealed piece of raw meat, a piece of fresh product, or any other type of food product. The deformable objects 110 can have different sizes and shapes. For example, as can be seen in Fig. IB, the deformable object 1 lOi is taller and narrower than the deformable object 1 IO2.

[0049] Figs. 2A and 2B depict side and rear views, respectively, of an example of a system 100 after the deformable objects 110 have been conveyed a distance by the conveying system 102 in the downstream direction 108. For example, the conveyor belt 104 has been rotated to cause the deformable objects 110 on the conveying surface 106 to move in the downstream direction. A bag 112 has also been placed proximate the downstream end of the conveying system 102. An opening of the bag 112 has been opened to receive the deformable object llOi as the deformable object llOi is conveyed further in the downstream direction 108. In the depicted embodiment, the bag 112 is held at four comers (e.g., by four grippers) to form the opening of the bag into a rectangular shape. In some cases, the opening of the bag 112 is held open into a rectangular shape that is as wide as the greatest expected width of any of the deformable objects 110 and as tall as the greatest expected height of any of the deformable objects 110. For example, as can be seen in Fig. 2B, the opening of the bag 112 is held in a rectangular shape that could accommodate either the deformable object 110i or the deformable object IIO2.

[0050] While holing the opening of the bag 112 in a rectangular shape that can accommodate any of the deformable objects 110 may appear to be a feasible solution, there are drawbacks to this approach. In one example, holding the opening of the bag 112 at around both the greatest expected height and greatest expected width of the deformable objects 110 can result in significant gaps between the edge of a deformable object and the edges of the opening of the bag 112 as the deformable object passes through the opening of the bag 112. Having large gaps between the deformable object and the opening of the bag 112 can cause difficulty in holding the bag 112 open as the deformable object enters the bag 112. In another example, the one-size-fits-all approach can cause a large bag size to be used for all of the deformable objects being bagged rather than using a bag size that is more appropriate for each of the deformable objects. In another example, the profiles of deformable objects tend not to be rectangular in shape because of their deformable nature. In the case of a deformable object being a piece of raw meat (e.g., beef, pork, chicken, fish, etc.), the profile of the piece of raw meat will tend to be wider at the bottom (e.g., near the conveying surface 106) than at the top so that the profile is not rectangular.

[0051] In the embodiments described herein, systems for bagging deformable objects described herein can include an object hom having fins such that a bag can be placed with the fins located in the opening of the bag to hold the bag open. The fins are capable of holding the opening of the bag into a non-rectangular shape that is based on a two-dimensional profile of the deformable object. Figs. 3A to 3E depict instances of an embodiment of a system 200 for bagging deformable objects of various sizes, in accordance with any of the embodiments of object horns described herein.

[0052] As seen in Fig. 3A, the system 200 includes a conveying system 202 that has a conveyor 204. The conveyor 204 has a conveying surface 206. The conveying surface 206 is configured to convey deformable objects in a downstream direction 208. In the depicted embodiment, a deformable object 210 is located on the conveying surface 206 of the conveyor 204. The conveyor 204 in the depicted embodiment is a conveyor belt; it will be understood that the conveyor 204, in other embodiments, could include powered rollers, a track with platforms that move on the track, or any other type of conveyor. In the depicted embodiment, the conveying system 202 includes a downstream conveyor 205 that is arranged to convey the deformable object 210 after the deformable object 210 is bagged. The system 200 further includes an object hom 220. The object hom 220 has fins 222. The system 200 further includes a bag placement system 230. As The bag placement system 230 is configured to place bags individually on the object hom 220. In the depicted embodiment, the bags are located on a supply 232 of bags. The example shown the supply 232 is a single roll of bags. In other embodiments, the supply 232 can be multiple rolls, one or more stacks of fanfolded bags, or any other kind of supply.

[0053] Between the instance shown in Fig. 3A and the instance shown in Fig. 3B, the bag placement system 230 has placed a bag 212 from the supply 232 on the object hom 220. In particular, as can be seen in Fig. 3B, the placement system 230 has placed a bag 212 on the object hom 220 with the fins 222 of the object hom 220 located inside of the opening of the bag 212. The fins 222 are configured to conform the opening of the bag 212 into a non- rectangular shape that is based on a two-dimensional profile of the deformable object 210. In some cases, the fins 222 move passively as the deformable object 210 passes through the fins 222 so that the fins 222 conform the opening of the bag 212 into a non-rectangular shape that is based on a two-dimensional profile of the deformable object 210. In some cases, the fins 222 are actively controlled (e.g., by a computing device) such that the fins 222 are moved to locations at which the opening of the bag 212 is conformed into a non-rectangular shape that is based on a two-dimensional profile of the deformable object 210. In yet other cases, the fins 222 may be a combination of passive and actively controlled fins that conform the opening of the bag 212 into a non-rectangular shape that is based on a two-dimensional profile of the deformable object 210.

[0054] At the instance shown in Fig. 3C, the conveyor 204 has moved the deformable object 210 into the object hom 220. In the depicted embodiment, the fins 222 are passive fins that move passively as the deformable object 210 passes through the fins 222 so that the fins 222 conform the opening of the bag 212 into a non-rectangular shape that is based on a two- dimensional profile of the deformable object 210. Because the fins 222 move based on contact with the deformable object 210, which causes the fins 222 to move to positions that are based on the two-dimensional profile of the deformable object 210. In some embodiments, each of the fins 222 moves at least partially independently, which allows the fins 222 to conform the opening of the bag 212 into an irregular shape.

[0055] At the instance shown in Fig. 3D, the deformable object 210 is passing through the object hom 220 and into the opening of the bag 212. The object hom 220 holds the opening of the bag 212 in the non-rectangular shape as the deformable object 210 is passes through the opening into the bag 212. At the instance shown in Fig. 3E, the deformable object 210 in the bag 212 has fallen down onto the downstream conveyor 205. The continued conveyance of the deformable object 210 beyond the end of the conveyor 204 and/or the falling of the deformable object 210 from the conveyor 204 to the conveyor 205 causes the deformable object 210 to pull the bag 212 from the fins 222 of the object hom 220. In some cases, the conveyor 204 alone may not be able to advance the deformable object 210 into the bag 212.

In such cases, a pusher (not shown) may push the deformable object 210 from the conveying surface 206 into the bag 212.

[0056] The process shown in Figs. 3A to 3E can be repeated as additional deformable products are conveyed down the conveyor 204. For example, a series of deformable objects can be conveyed down the conveyor 204 on the conveying surface 206 and the method shown in Figs. 3 A to 3E can be repeated to bag each of the deformable objects in a bag from the supply 232 of bags. As noted above, the fins 222 of the object hom 220 are capable of conforming the bag to a number of differently-sized deformable objects. Figs. 4A to 4E depict instances of an example of the system 200 bagging another deformable object of a different size, in accordance with any of the embodiments of object horns described herein.

[0057] As seen in Fig. 4A, a deformable object 211 is located on the conveying surface 206 of the conveyor 204. The deformable object 211 is shorter and wider than the deformable object 210 shown in Figs. 3 A to 3E. Between the instance shown in Fig. 4A and the instance shown in Fig. 4B, the bag placement system 230 has placed a bag 213 from the supply 232 on the object hom 220. In particular, as can be seen in Fig. 3B, the placement system 230 has placed the bag 213 on the object hom 220 with the fins 222 of the object hom 220 located inside of the opening of the bag 213. At the instance shown in Fig. 4C, the conveyor 204 has moved the deformable object 211 into the object hom 220. In the depicted embodiment, the fins 222 are passive fins that move passively as the deformable object 210 passes through the fins 222 so that the fins 222 conform the opening of the bag 213 into a non-rectangular shape that is based on a two-dimensional profile of the deformable object 211. Because the fins 222 move based on contact with the deformable object 211, which causes the fins 222 to move to positions that are based on the two-dimensional profile of the deformable object 211. In some embodiments, each of the fins 222 moves at least partially independently, which allows the fins 222 to conform the opening of the bag 213 into an irregular shape.

[0058] At the instance shown in Fig. 4D, the deformable object 211 is passing through the object hom 220 and into the opening of the bag 213. The object hom 220 holds the opening of the bag 213 in the non-rectangular shape as the deformable object 211 passes through the opening into the bag 213. At the instance shown in Fig. 4E, the deformable object 211 in the bag 213 has fallen down onto the downstream conveyor 205. The continued conveyance of the deformable object 211 beyond the end of the conveyor 204 and/or the falling of the deformable object 211 from the conveyor 204 to the conveyor 205 causes the deformable object 211 to pull the bag 213 from the fins 222 of the object hom 220.

[0059] The object hom 220 shown in Figs. 3A to 3E and in Figs. 4A to 4E is one example of an object hom that can be used in the system 200. Any number of other types of object horns can be used with the system in place of the object hom 220. Figs. 5 to 13B depict various embodiments of object horns that can be used in place of the object hom 220 in the system 200.

[0060] Fig. 5 depicts an embodiment of an object hom 300 having actively-controlled fins. The object hom 300 includes a frame 302 and fins 310 that are coupled to the frame 302.

The fins 310 are capable of conforming the opening of a bag into a non-rectangular shape and holding the opening of the bag in the non-rectangular shape as the deformable object passes through the opening into the bag. In the depicted embodiment, the fins 310 include lower fins 312 and 314, intermediate fins 316 and 318, and an upper fin 320. The lower fins 312 and 314, the intermediate fins 316 and 318, and the upper fin 320 are positionable such that the non-rectangular shape of the opening of the bag is an irregular pentagonal shape.

[0061] Each of the fins 310 is actively-controlled that is movable between a first position and a second position by an actuator 330. Examples of movements of the fins 310 by the actuator 330 are depicted in end views shown in Figs. 6A and 6B. Figs. 6A and 6B also depict an end view of a conveyor 350 that has a conveying surface 352 capable of conveying deformable objects. In the depicted embodiment, the actuator 330 includes a first actuator 332, a second actuator 334, a third actuator 336, a fourth actuator 338, and a fifth actuator 340. Each of the fins is fixedly coupled to the frame 302 and is configured to move one or more of the fins 310 with respect to the frame 302. Examples of the actions of the actuators 330 are described below.

[0062] The first actuator 332 is configured to position the lower fin 312 laterally within a range of lateral positions with respect to the conveying surface 352. In the depicted embodiment, the range of lateral movement of the lower fin 312 is between a first position where the lower fin 312 is located in Fig. 6A and a second position 313 that is laterally spaced from the first position. In the depicted embodiment, the lower fin 312 is in a fixed vertical position with respect to the conveying surface 352. In the depicted embodiment, the intermediate fin 316 is coupled to the lower fin 312 such that the intermediate fin 316 moves laterally with the lower fin 312 when the lower fin 312 is moved by the first actuator 332. In the depicted embodiment, the range of lateral movement of the intermediate fin 316 is between a first position where the intermediate fin 316 is located in Fig. 6A and a second position 317 that is laterally-spaced from the first position.

[0063] The second actuator 334 is configured to position the lower fin 314 laterally within a range of lateral positions with respect to the conveying surface 352. In the depicted embodiment, the range of lateral movement of the lower fin 314 is between a first position where the lower fin 314 is located in Fig. 6A and a second position 315 that is laterally spaced from the first position. In the depicted embodiment, the lower fin 314 is in a fixed vertical position with respect to the conveying surface 352. In the depicted embodiment, the intermediate fin 318 is coupled to the lower fin 314 such that the intermediate fin 318 moves laterally with the lower fin 314 when the lower fin 314 is moved by the second actuator 334. In the depicted embodiment, the range of lateral movement of the intermediate fin 318 is between a first position where the intermediate fin 318 is located in Fig. 6A and a second position 319 that is laterally-spaced from the first position.

[0064] The third actuator 336 is configured to position the intermediate fin 316 vertically within a range of vertical positions with respect to the conveying surface 352. In the depicted embodiment, the range of vertical movement of the intermediate fin 316 is between a first position where the intermediate fin 316 is located in Fig. 6B and a second position 327 that is vertically-spaced from the first position. Similarly, the third actuator 338 is configured to position the intermediate fin 318 vertically within a range of vertical positions with respect to the conveying surface 352. In the depicted embodiment, the range of vertical movement of the intermediate fin 318 is between a first position where the intermediate fin 318 is located in Fig. 6B and a second position 329 that is vertically-spaced from the first position.

[0065] The fifth actuator 340 is configured to position the upper fin 320 vertically within a range of vertical positions with respect to the conveying surface 352. In the depicted embodiment, the range of vertical movement of the upper fin 320 is between a first position where the upper fin 320 is located in Fig. 6A and a second position 321 that is vertically- spaced from the first position. In the depicted embodiment, the upper fin 320 is in a fixed lateral position with respect to the conveying surface 352. In some embodiments, the second position 327 of the intermediate fin 316 is at or below the vertical position of the upper fin 320 and the second position 329 of the intermediate fin 318 is at or below the vertical position of the upper fin 320.

[0066] With the fins 310 movable by the actuator 330 as described here, the fins can form the opening of a bag into any number of irregular pentagonal shapes. Figs. 6C to 6E each depict an end view of embodiments of an irregular pentagonal shapes of a bag opening formed by the fins 310 and a profile of a deformable object.

[0067] Fig. 6C depicts an end view of the conveyor 350 and a profile 360 of a deformable object being conveyed on the conveying surface 352. The figure also depicts an opening 362 of a bag that is held by the fins 310 in a non-rectangular shape. In the depicted embodiment, the upper fin 320 has been moved vertically by the actuator 340 so that the upper fin 320 is above the top of the profile 360 of the deformable object. The lower fins 312 and 314 have been moved laterally by the actuators 332 and 334, respectively, so that the lower fins 312 and 314 are outside of the lateral sides of the profile 360 of the deformable object. The intermediate fins 316 and 318 have been moved vertically by the actuators 336 and 338, respectively, so that the opening 362 of the bag is outside of the profile 360 of the deformable object. In some cases, the intermediate fins 316 and 318 have been moved vertically to a position that minimizes gaps between the opening 362 of the bag and the profile 360 of the deformable object. As can be seen in Fig. 6C, the opening 362 of the bag in the depicted embodiment is an irregular pentagonal shape. [0068] Fig. 6D depicts an end view of the conveyor 350 and a profile 370 of a deformable object being conveyed on the conveying surface 352. The figure also depicts an opening 372 of a bag that is held by the fins 310 in a non-rectangular shape. In the depicted embodiment, the upper fin 320 is located at its lowest possible location (i.e., the first position of the upper fin 320 described above) where the upper fin 320 is above the top of the profile 370 of the deformable object. The lower fins 312 and 314 have been moved laterally by the actuators 332 and 334, respectively, so that the lower fins 312 and 314 are outside of the lateral sides of the profile 370 of the deformable object. In the depicted embodiment, the lower fins 312 and 314 are at their widest points (i.e., the second positions 313 and 315 described above). The intermediate fins 316 and 318 are also located at their lowest possible positions (i.e., the first positions of the intermediate fins 316 and 318 described above) at which the opening 372 of the bag is outside of the profile 370 of the deformable object. As can be seen in Fig. 6D, the opening 372 of the bag in the depicted embodiment is an irregular pentagonal shape.

[0069] Fig. 6E depicts an end view of the conveyor 350 and a profile 380 of a deformable object being conveyed on the conveying surface 352. The figure also depicts an opening 382 of a bag that is held by the fins 310 in a non-rectangular shape. In the depicted embodiment, the upper fin 320 has been moved vertically by the actuator 340 so that the upper fin 320 is above the top of the profile 380 of the deformable object. The lower fins 312 and 314 have been moved laterally by the actuators 332 and 334, respectively, so that the lower fins 312 and 314 are outside of the lateral sides of the profile 380 of the deformable object. The intermediate fin 316 has been moved vertically by the actuator 336 so that the opening 382 of the bag is outside of the profile 380 of the deformable object. The intermediate fin 318 is located at its lowest possible position (i.e., the first position of the intermediate fin 318 described above) at which the opening 372 of the bag is outside of the profile 370 of the deformable object. In some cases, the intermediate fins 316 and 318 have been moved vertically to a position that minimizes gaps between the opening 382 of the bag and the profile 380 of the deformable object. As can be seen in Fig. 6E, the opening 382 of the bag in the depicted embodiment is an irregular pentagonal shape. In contrast to the examples in Figs. 6C and 6D, the example of the bag opening 372 in Fig. 6E is asymmetrical because the intermediate fins 316 and 318 have been placed at different heights above the lower fins 312 and 314, respectively. In other embodiments, the bag opening may also be asymmetrical if the lower fins 312 are moved laterally outward to different positions with respect to the upper fin 320.

[0070] Figs. 7A and 7B depict instances of an example of the operation of the fins 310 to conform the opening of a bag into a non-rectangular shape and hold the opening of the bag in the non-rectangular shape. In both of Figs. 7A and 7B, a deformable object 390 is located on the conveying surface 352 of the conveyor 350. In the instance shown in Fig. 7A, each of the fins 310 is located at its first position (e.g., the inward-most lateral positions of the lower fins 312 and 314, the lower-most vertical positions of the intermediate fins 316 and 318 and the upper fin 320). A bag 392 has been placed (e.g., by a bag placement system) on the object horn 300 with the opening 394 of the bag 392 that includes the fins 310 located inside of the opening 394 of the bag 392. From the instance shown in Fig. 7A to the instance shown in Fig. 7B, the fins 310 have been moved out to positions based on a two-dimensional profile of the deformable object 390. For example, the fins 310 can move to the positions shown in Fig. 6C. As the fins 310 are moved to their positions, the fins 310 conform the opening 394 of the bag 392 into a non-rectangular shape that is based on the two-dimensional profile of the deformable object 390 and the fins 310 hold the opening 394 of the bag 392 in the non- rectangular shape. The fins 310 can continue holding the opening 394 of the bag 392 as the deformable object 390 passes through the opening 394 into the bag 392. In the depicted embodiment, each of the fins 310 includes is non-planar in that each of the fins 310 has multiple planar surfaces that are at non-straight angles with respect to each other.

[0071] Fig. 8 A depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of an object hom 400 having actively-controlled fins. The object hom 400 has fins 410 that are independently - movable. The fins 410 include fins 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, and 417. In the depicted embodiment, the fins 410 are arranged in an arcuate shape. The object hom 400 also includes an actuator 430. In the depicted embodiment, the actuator 430 includes actuators 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, and 437 that are configured to move the fins 411, 412, 413, 414, 415,

416, and 417, respectively. The actuators 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, and 437 are configured to move the fins 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, and 417, respectively, to move from their positions shown in Fig. 8A to positions that are radially-outward with respect to the arcuate shape. Figs. 8B to 8D each depict an end view of embodiments of a non- rectangular shapes of bag openings formed by the fins 410 and profiles of deformable objects.

[0072] Fig. 8B depicts an end view of a profile 460 of a deformable object being conveyed on a conveying surface (not shown) and a non-rectangular bag opening 462 held by the fins 410. In the depicted embodiment, the actuators 430 are holding the fins 410 in the same positions shown in Fig. 8A. In some cases, the actuators 430 are fully extended so that the fins 410 are in the radially-inward-most positions (e.g., first positions) with respect to the arcuate shape of the fins 410. In the depicted embodiment, the positions of the fins 410 permit a deformable object having the profile 460 to pass through the fins 410 and through the opening 462 of the bag. The fins 410 conform the opening 462 of the bag into the non- rectangular shape and hold the opening 462 of the bag in the non-rectangular shape as the deformable object passes through the opening 462 into the bag. In some embodiments, the non-rectangular shape of the opening 462 of the bag is based on the two-dimensional profile 460 of the deformable object.

[0073] . Fig. 8C depicts an end view of a profile 470 of a deformable object being conveyed on a conveying surface (not shown) and a non-rectangular bag opening 472 held by the fins 410. In the depicted embodiment, the actuators 430 are fully retracted so that the fins 410 are in the radially-outward-most positions (e.g., second positions) with respect to the arcuate shape of the fins 410. In the depicted embodiment, the positions of the fins 410 permit a deformable object having the profile 470 to pass through the fins 410 and through the opening 472 of the bag. The fins 410 conform the opening 472 of the bag into the non- rectangular shape and hold the opening 472 of the bag in the non-rectangular shape as the deformable object passes through the opening 472 into the bag. In some embodiments, the non-rectangular shape of the opening 472 of the bag is based on the two-dimensional profile 470 of the deformable object.

[0074] Fig. 8D depicts an end view of a profile 480 of a deformable object being conveyed on a conveying surface (not shown) and a non-rectangular bag opening 482 held by the fins 410. In some embodiments, the actuators 430 are independently controllable (e.g., by a controller) to move the fins 410 to different radial positions with respect to the arcuate shape. In the depicted embodiment, the actuators 431, 432, and 433 are fully retracted so that the fins 411, 412, and 413 are in the radially-outward-most positions (e.g., the second positions) with respect to the arcuate shape of the fins 410. The actuator 437 is fully extended so that the fin 417 is in the radially-in ward-most position (e.g., the first position) with respect to the arcuate shape of the fins 410. The actuators 434, 435, and 436 are controlled so that the fins 414, 415, and 416 are located somewhere in a range between the radially-inward-most position (e.g., the first position) and the radially-outward-most positions (e.g., the second positions). In the depicted embodiment, the positions of the fins 410 permit a deformable object having the profile 480 to pass through the fins 410 and through the opening 482 of the bag. The fins 410 conform the opening 482 of the bag into the non-rectangular shape and hold the opening 482 of the bag in the non-rectangular shape as the deformable object passes through the opening 482 into the bag. In some embodiments, the non-rectangular shape of the opening 482 of the bag is based on the two-dimensional profile 470 of the deformable object.

[0075] In some of the examples described above, the fins of object horns are fully controlled. In other embodiments, some or all of the fins can be passive fins. Some of the following examples include passive fins that are capable of conforming the opening of the bag into a non-rectangular shape and holding the opening of the bag in the non-rectangular shape as the deformable object passes through the opening into the bag.

[0076] Fig. 9A and 9B depict perspective views of an object hom 500 usable in a system (e.g., the system 200) for bagging deformable objects of various sizes. The object hom 500 includes fins 510. The fins include lower fins 512 and 514 and upper fins 516 and 518. In the depicted embodiment, each of the fins 510 is a passive fin. The object hom 500 also includes a biasing system 530. The biasing system 530 includes biasing mechanisms 532, 534, 536, and 538 that bias the fins 512, 514, 516, and 518, respectively, to the positions shown in Figs. 9A and 9B (e.g., first positions). In the depicted embodiment, the biasing mechanisms 532, 534, 536, and 538 are piston-cylinder mechanisms; in other embodiments, the biasing mechanisms 532, 534, 536, and 538 can be springs or other types of biasing mechanism.

[0077] As a deformable object passes through the object hom 500, the deformable object may contact the fins 510 and cause the fins 510 to move outwardly against the biasing force of the biasing system 530. In some embodiments, each of the fins 510 can be moved outwardly up to an outward-most position (e.g., a second position). This movement of the fins 510 outwardly in response to the contact of the deformable object with the fins 510 causes the fins 510 to be repositioned based on the two-dimensional profile of the deformable object. In the depicted embodiment, each of the fins 510 has a non-planar contact surface that progressively increases the opening of the bag in response to further contact of the deformable object with the fin.

[0078] Fig. 9A depicts a deformable object 560 that is being conveyed by a conveyor (not shown) toward the object hom 500. Fig. 9B depicts a deformable object 570 that is being conveyed by a conveyor (not shown) toward the object hom 500. Both of Figs. 9A and 9B show an indication (in dashed lines) of where a bag opening 562 where the opening of the bag would be located if the bag were placed on the object hom with the fins located inside of the opening of the bag. In Fig. 9A, the deformable object 560 is smaller and the profile of the deformable object 560 may permit the deformable object 560 to pass through the object hom 500 without moving the fins 510 from the positions shown in Fig. 9A. In this case, the fins 510 would conform the bag opening 562 to the non-rectangular shape shown in Fig. 9A and hold that shape as the deformable object 560 passes into the bag. In Fig. 9B, the deformable object 570 is larger and the profile of the deformable object 570 may contact the fins 510 and push the fins 510 outwardly as the deformable object 570 passes through the object hom 500. In this case, the deformable object 570 would move one or more of the fins 510 from the positions shown in Fig. 9B to an outward position. The movement of the fins 510 would conform the bag opening 562 from the shape shown in Fig. 9B to a larger non-rectangular shape and then hold that shape as the deformable object 570 passes into the bag.

[0079] In some embodiments, object horns can have a combination of actively-controlled and passive fins. Fig. 10 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of an object hom 600 that has a combination of actively-controlled and passive fins. The object hom 600 has fins 610 that include a first actively-controlled fin 612, a second actively-controlled fin 614, and passive fins 616. In the depicted embodiment, the passive fins 616 are in an arcuate shape between the actively-controlled fins 612 and 614. The passive fins 616 are also biased (e.g., by gravity) toward the positions shown in Fig. 10 (e.g., first positions) and can be moved outwardly due to contact between the passive fins 616 and a deformable object that is passing through the object hom 600 while being conveyed on a conveying surface 652 of a conveyor. The object hom 600 also includes an actuator 630 that includes actuators 632 and 634. The actuators 632 and 634 are configured to move the actively-controlled fins 612 and 614, respectively, in a range between the position shown in Fig. 10 (e.g., a first position) and an outward-most position of the actively-controlled fins 612 and 614 (e.g., a second position).

[0080] In Fig. 10, a bag 661 has been placed on the object hom 600 with the fins 610 located inside of an opening 662 of the bag 661. In some embodiments, after the bag 661 has been placed with respect to the fins 610 in this manner, the actuator 630 may move one or both of the actively-controlled fins 612 and 614 away from each other to engage the opening 662 of the bag 661. In the depicted embodiment, the actively-controlled fins 612 and 614 are at a fixed vertical position with respect to the conveying surface 652 and the actuators 632 and 634 are configured to move the actively-controlled fins 612 and 614 away from each other by moving the actively-controlled fins 612 and 614 laterally away from each other in a direction substantially parallel to the conveying surface 652. In this way, the actively-controlled fins 612 and 614 hold the opening 662 of the bag 661 taut before the deformable object enters the object hom 600. This movement of the actively-controlled fins 612 and 614 causes the fins 610 to conform the opening 662 of the bag 661 into a non-rectangular shape and to hold the opening 662 of the bag 661 in the non-rectangular shape as the deformable object is conveyed through the opening 662 into the bag 661. Additionally, as the deformable object enters the object hom 600, the deformable object may cause the passive fins 616 to move outwardly from the positions shown in Fig. 10. Any such movement of the passive fins 616 would cause the fins 610 to further conform the opening 662 of the bag 661 into a non- rectangular shape and to hold the opening 662 of the bag 661 in the non-rectangular shape as the deformable object is conveyed through the opening 662 into the bag 661.

[0081] In yet other embodiments, object horns may have a conical shape. Depicted in Fig. 11 is an end view of an embodiment of a system 700 having an object hom 710 and a conveyor 720. The conveyor 720 is capable of conveying a deformable object on a conveying surface 722 in a downstream direction 724. The object hom 710 has an inlet 712 and an outlet 714.

In the depicted embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the inlet 712 is larger than a cross- sectional area of the outlet 714. The conical shape of the object hom 710 is adjustable. In the depicted embodiment, the object hom 710 is made from a single sheet material with overlapping ends 716 and 718 and the conical shape of the object hom 710 is adjustable by moving the overlapping ends 716 and 718 either more (e.g., to narrow the conical shape) or less (e.g., to widen the conical shape). The system 700 also includes a bag placement system (not shown), such as the bag placement system 230, that is configured to place a bag on the object hom 710 with the outlet 714 located inside of an opening of the bag. As a deformable object passes through the object hom, the end of the object hom 710 with the outlet 714 conforms the opening of the bag into a non-rectangular shape and holds the opening of the bag in the non-rectangular shape as the deformable object passes through the opening into the bag.

[0082] In some embodiments, the system 700 includes an actuator configured to adjust the conical shape of the object hom 710. Figs. 12A to 12C depict top views of an embodiment of the system 700 with an actuator 730 configured to engage a side of the object hom 710 to adjust the conical shape of the object hom 710 based on a size of the deformable object. In the depicted embodiment, the actuator 730 includes first and second actuators 732 and 734 configured to engage opposite sides of the object hom 710. It will be apparent that, in other embodiments, the actuator 730 can include any number of actuators, including a single actuator. In Fig. 12A, the object hom 710 is at a neutral position where the conical shape would be without any external forces. At this instance, the first and second actuators 732 and 734 are not exerting any inward or outward forces on the object hom 710. In Fig. 12B, the first and second actuators 732 and 734 are exerting an inward force on the sides of the object hom 710. The inward forces of the first and second actuators 732 and 734 cause the conical shape of the object hom 710 to narrow. In Fig. 12C, the first and second actuators 732 and 734 are exerting an outward force on the sides of the object hom 710. The outward forces of the first and second actuators 732 and 734 cause the conical shape of the object hom 710 to widen. It will be apparent that the forces exerted by the first and second actuators 732 and 734 can be controlled to control a size of the conical shape of the object hom 710. In some embodiments, the conical shape of the object hom 710 can be adjusted based on a size of the deformable object. Such a size may be a measure size (e.g., measured by a three-dimensional scan), an estimate size (e.g., from a user input), or any other determined size of the deformable object.

[0083] In other embodiments, an object hom can have a conical shape formed from multiple arcuate-shaped fins. Figs. 13A and 13B depict end views of an example of an object hom 800 formed from two arcuate-shaped fins 802 and 804. In Fig. 8, the fins 802 and 804 are arranged in a narrow formation, which may be the neutral or resting formation of the fins 802 and 804. A conveying surface of a conveyor can pass under the fins 802 and 804. The far ends of the fins 802 and 804 (when viewed in Figs. 13A and 13B) can have a bag placed on them with the far ends of the fins 802 and 804 located inside of the opening of the bag. In the depicted embodiment, the fins are expandable to increase the size of the conical shape of the object hom 800. In the example shown in Fig 13B, the fins 802 and 804 are rotated to cause each of the fins 802 and 804 to expand, thereby widening the conical shape of the object hom 800. Such rotation may be actively-controlled (e.g., by an actuator) or passive (e.g., due to contact between a deformable object and the fins 802 and 804).

[0084] Fig. 14 depicts an example embodiment of a system 910 that may be used to implement some or all of the embodiments described herein. In the depicted embodiment, the system 910 includes computing devices 920i, 9202, 9203, and 9204 (collectively computing devices 920). In the depicted embodiment, the computing device 920i is a tablet, the computing device 9202 is a mobile phone, the computing device 9203 is a desktop computer, and the computing device 9204 is a laptop computer. In other embodiments, the computing devices 920 include one or more of a desktop computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, a phablet, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a distributed system, a gaming console (e.g., Xbox, Play Station, Wii), a watch, a pair of glasses, a key fob, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an ear piece, a scanner, a television, a dongle, a camera, a wristband, a wearable item, a kiosk, an input terminal, a server, a server network, a blade, a gateway, a switch, a processing device, a processing entity, a set-top box, a relay, a router, a network access point, a base station, any other device configured to perform the functions, operations, and/or processes described herein, or any combination thereof.

[0085] The computing devices 920 are communicatively coupled to each other via one or more networks 930 and 932. Each of the networks 930 and 932 may include one or more wired or wireless networks (e.g., a 3 G network, the Internet, an internal network, a proprietary network, a secured network). The computing devices 920 are capable of communicating with each other and/or any other computing devices via one or more wired or wireless networks. While the particular system 910 in Fig. 14 depicts that the computing devices 920 communicatively coupled via the network 930 include four computing devices, any number of computing devices may be communicatively coupled via the network 930. [0086] In the depicted embodiment, the computing device 9203 is communicatively coupled with a peripheral device 940 via the network 932. In the depicted embodiment, the peripheral device 940 is a scanner, such as a barcode scanner, an optical scanner, a computer vision device, and the like. In some embodiments, the network 932 is a wired network (e.g., a direct wired connection between the peripheral device 940 and the computing device 9203), a wireless network (e.g., a Bluetooth connection or a WiFi connection), or a combination of wired and wireless networks (e.g., a Bluetooth connection between the peripheral device 940 and a cradle of the peripheral device 940 and a wired connection between the peripheral device 940 and the computing device 9203). In some embodiments, the peripheral device 940 is itself a computing device (sometimes called a “smart” device). In other embodiments, the peripheral device 940 is not a computing device (sometimes called a “dumb” device).

[0087] Depicted in Fig. 15 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a computing device 1000. Any of the computing devices 920 and/or any other computing device described herein may include some or all of the components and features of the computing device 1000. In some embodiments, the computing device 1000 is one or more of a desktop computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, a phablet, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a distributed system, a gaming console (e.g., an Xbox, a Play Station, a Wii), a watch, a pair of glasses, a key fob, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an ear piece, a scanner, a television, a dongle, a camera, a wristband, a wearable item, a kiosk, an input terminal, a server, a server network, a blade, a gateway, a switch, a processing device, a processing entity, a set-top box, a relay, a router, a network access point, a base station, any other device configured to perform the functions, operations, and/or processes described herein, or any combination thereof. Such functions, operations, and/or processes may include, for example, transmitting, receiving, operating on, processing, displaying, storing, determining, creating/generating, monitoring, evaluating, comparing, and/or similar terms used herein. In one embodiment, these functions, operations, and/or processes can be performed on data, content, information, and/or similar terms used herein.

[0088] In the depicted embodiment, the computing device 1000 includes a processing element 1005, memory 1010, a user interface 1015, and a communications interface 1020. The processing element 1005, memory 1010, a user interface 1015, and a communications interface 1020 are capable of communicating via a communication bus 1025 by reading data from and/or writing data to the communication bus 1025. The computing device 1000 may include other components that are capable of communicating via the communication bus 1025. In other embodiments, the computing device does not include the communication bus 1025 and the components of the computing device 1000 are capable of communicating with each other in some other way.

[0089] The processing element 1005 (also referred to as one or more processors, processing circuitry, and/or similar terms used herein) is capable of performing operations on some external data source. For example, the processing element may perform operations on data in the memory 1010, data receives via the user interface 1015, and/or data received via the communications interface 1020. As will be understood, the processing element 1005 may be embodied in a number of different ways. In some embodiments, the processing element 1005 includes one or more complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), microprocessors, multi core processors, co processing entities, application-specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs), microcontrollers, controllers, integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), hardware accelerators, any other circuitry, or any combination thereof. The term circuitry may refer to an entirely hardware embodiment or a combination of hardware and computer program products. In some embodiments, the processing element 1005 is configured for a particular use or configured to execute instructions stored in volatile or nonvolatile media or otherwise accessible to the processing element 1005. As such, whether configured by hardware or computer program products, or by a combination thereof, the processing element 1005 may be capable of performing steps or operations when configured accordingly.

[0090] The memory 1010 in the computing device 1000 is configured to store data, computer-executable instructions, and/or any other information. In some embodiments, the memory 1010 includes volatile memory (also referred to as volatile storage, volatile media, volatile memory circuitry, and the like), non-volatile memory (also referred to as non-volatile storage, non-volatile media, non-volatile memory circuitry, and the like), or some combination thereof.

[0091] In some embodiments, volatile memory includes one or more of random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), fast page mode dynamic random access memory (FPM DRAM), extended data-out dynamic random access memory (EDO DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), double data rate type two synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR2 SDRAM), double data rate type three synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR3 SDRAM), Rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM), Twin Transistor RAM (TTRAM), Thyristor RAM (T-RAM), Zero-capacitor (Z-RAM), Rambus in-line memory module (RIMM), dual in-line memory module (DIMM), single in-line memory module (SIMM), video random access memory (VRAM), cache memory (including various levels), flash memory, any other memory that requires power to store information, or any combination thereof.

[0092] In some embodiments, non-volatile memory includes one or more of hard disks, floppy disks, flexible disks, solid-state storage (SSS) (e.g., a solid state drive (SSD)), solid state cards (SSC), solid state modules (SSM), enterprise flash drives, magnetic tapes, any other non-transitory magnetic media, compact disc read only memory (CD ROM), compact disc-rewritable (CD-RW), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc (BD), any other non- transitory optical media, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory (e.g., Serial, NAND, NOR, and/or the like), multimedia memory cards (MMC), secure digital (SD) memory cards, Memory Sticks, conductive-bridging random access memory (CBRAM), phase-change random access memory (PRAM), ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM), non volatile random access memory (NVRAM), magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM), resistive random-access memory (RRAM), Silicon Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon memory (SONOS), floating junction gate random access memory (FJGRAM), Millipede memory, racetrack memory, any other memory that does not require power to store information, or any combination thereof.

[0093] In some embodiments, memory 1010 is capable of storing one or more of databases, database instances, database management systems, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, or any other information. The term database, database instance, database management system, and/or similar terms used herein may refer to a collection of records or data that is stored in a computer-readable storage medium using one or more database models, such as a hierarchical database model, network model, relational model, entity relationship model, object model, document model, semantic model, graph model, or any other model.

[0094] The user interface 1015 of the computing device 1000 is in communication with one or more input or output devices that are capable of receiving inputs into and/or outputting any outputs from the computing device 1000. Embodiments of input devices include a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen display, a touch sensitive pad, a motion input device, movement input device, an audio input, a pointing device input, a joystick input, a keypad input, peripheral device 940, foot switch, and the like. Embodiments of output devices include an audio output device, a video output, a display device, a motion output device, a movement output device, a printing device, and the like. In some embodiments, the user interface 1015 includes hardware that is configured to communicate with one or more input devices and/or output devices via wired and/or wireless connections.

[0095] The communications interface 1020 is capable of communicating with various computing devices and/or networks. In some embodiments, the communications interface 1020 is capable of communicating data, content, and/or any other information, that can be transmitted, received, operated on, processed, displayed, stored, and the like.

Communication via the communications interface 1020 may be executed using a wired data transmission protocol, such as fiber distributed data interface (FDDI), digital subscriber line (DSL), Ethernet, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), frame relay, data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS), or any other wired transmission protocol. Similarly, communication via the communications interface 1020 may be executed using a wireless data transmission protocol, such as general packet radio service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), CDMA2000 IX (lxRTT), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), WiFi Direct, 802.16 (WiMAX), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared (IR) protocols, near field communication (NFC) protocols, Wibree, Bluetooth protocols, wireless universal serial bus (USB) protocols, or any other wireless protocol.

[0096] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, one or more components of the computing device 1000 may be located remotely from other components of the computing device 1000 components, such as in a distributed system. Furthermore, one or more of the components may be combined and additional components performing functions described herein may be included in the computing device 1000 Thus, the computing device 1000 can be adapted to accommodate a variety of needs and circumstances. The depicted and described architectures and descriptions are provided for exemplary purposes only and are not limiting to the various embodiments described herein.

[0097] Embodiments described herein may be implemented in various ways, including as computer program products that comprise articles of manufacture. A computer program product may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, program code, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, and/or the like (also referred to herein as executable instructions, instructions for execution, computer program products, program code, and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably). Such non- transitory computer-readable storage media include all computer-readable media (including volatile and non-volatile media).

[0098] As should be appreciated, various embodiments of the embodiments described herein may also be implemented as methods, apparatus, systems, computing devices, and the like.

As such, embodiments described herein may take the form of an apparatus, system, computing device, and the like executing instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium to perform certain steps or operations. Thus, embodiments described herein may be implemented entirely in hardware, entirely in a computer program product, or in an embodiment that comprises combination of computer program products and hardware performing certain steps or operations.

[0099] Embodiments described herein may be made with reference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations. Thus, it should be understood that blocks of a block diagram and flowchart illustrations may be implemented in the form of a computer program product, in an entirely hardware embodiment, in a combination of hardware and computer program products, or in apparatus, systems, computing devices, and the like carrying out instructions, operations, or steps. Such instructions, operations, or steps may be stored on a computer readable storage medium for execution buy a processing element in a computing device. For example, retrieval, loading, and execution of code may be performed sequentially such that one instruction is retrieved, loaded, and executed at a time. In some exemplary embodiments, retrieval, loading, and/or execution may be performed in parallel such that multiple instructions are retrieved, loaded, and/or executed together. Thus, such embodiments can produce specifically configured machines performing the steps or operations specified in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations. Accordingly, the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations support various combinations of embodiments for performing the specified instructions, operations, or steps.

[0100] For purposes of this disclosure, terminology such as “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” “rear,” and the like, should be construed as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Unless stated otherwise, the terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like are used to mean within 5% of a target value.

[0101] The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.