Patent Application
20250185706
The present disclosure generally relates to atomization and vaporizing devices, and more particularly, to a device for filling an electronic cigarette device with e-liquid.
Electronic cigarette (also known as “E-cigarette”), or vaping, devices can be used to deliver nicotine, cannabis (THC, CBD), flavorings, chemicals, and other substances. These devices are known by many different names and come in many shapes, sizes and device types. These devices may also be referred to as “E-cigs”, “Vapes”, “Vape pens,” “dab pens,” “dab rigs,” “Tanks,” “Mods,” “Pod-Mods,” and the like. Use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products is sometimes referred to as “vaping.”
Typically, a conventional e-cigarette device or electronic cigarette device includes several basic components: a body, a cartridge (also referred to as a reservoir or pod), an atomizer (or atomizer core) including a heating element, a power source (e.g., a battery), and a mouthpiece. The atomizer and power source are disposed within the body. The cartridge (or reservoir or pod) can hold various substances. The cartridge may be pre-loaded with these substances, and sold with or separate from the rest of the e-cigarette device. One particular substance is a liquid solution (sometimes referred to as “e-liquid” or “e-juice”). In one particular example, the liquid solution may contain varying amounts of nicotine, cannabis (THC, CBD), flavorings, and/or other chemicals. In many e-cigarette devices, puffing by a user results in an airflow entering the electronic cigarette device. As the air flows into the electronic cigarette device, the generated airflow will trigger an airflow sensor, and thereby activate the heating element of the atomizer. The electric heating element, disposed within an atomization channel of the atomizer core, starts to heat the e-liquid, and generate aerosol or vapor, which then flows out through the atomization channel under the drive of the airflow, and the resulting aerosol or vapor travels to the mouthpiece where the aerosol or vapor is then inhaled by the user. Some conventional e-cigarette devices may not use a cartridge to hold the liquid solution. Instead, these e-cigarette devices include a reservoir or e-liquid storage cavity within the body for containing the liquid solution, and into which the liquid solution can be filled.
As set forth above, an e-cigarette device includes a mouthpiece through which a user inhales aerosol or vapor. In a conventional e-cigarette device, the mouthpiece may be connected to the body by means of threaded connection or riveting assembly (i.e., the mouthpiece may be inserted into one end of the body, and connected to the body by means of the elasticity of the mouthpiece itself). This can result in low assembly efficiency and reduced elasticity after a long period of use, and thus likely lead to leakage of e-liquid due to reduced sealing performance.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved mouthpiece for an e-cigarette device. There is a further need for an improved connection between a mouthpiece and a body of an e-cigarette device. There is an additional need for an improved mouthpiece that provides a snapping connection to provide increased assembly efficiency. There is also a need for an improved mouthpiece that provides reverse trapezoid potential energy to tightly snap in order to provides excellent sealing performance. There is a further need for an improved mouthpiece for an e-cigarette device that is easier to manufacture, assemble, disassemble, adjust, and maintain. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.
The present invention provides an improved mouthpiece for an e-cigarette device. The present invention provides an improved connection between a mouthpiece and a body of an e-cigarette device. The present invention provides an improved mouthpiece that provides a snapping connection to provide increased assembly efficiency. The present invention provides an improved mouthpiece that provides reverse trapezoid potential energy to tightly snap in order to provides excellent sealing performance. The present invention provides an improved mouthpiece for an e-cigarette device that is easier to manufacture, assemble, adjust, and maintain. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a mouthpiece assembly for an e-cigarette device includes a mouthpiece cover; a tubular mouthpiece fastener; and a mouthpiece ring having a central aperture. The mouthpiece fastener is configured to extend through the central aperture of the mouthpiece ring to snap-fit engage the mouthpiece cover.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the mouthpiece fastener includes at least one groove extending around the circumference of the mouthpiece fastener configured to engage the mouthpiece cover.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the mouthpiece cover includes at least two snap-in seats configured to engage the mouthpiece fastener. The mouthpiece fastener includes a snap portion configured to engage the at least two snap-in seats.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, the mouthpiece assembly is configured to engage an atomizer housing. The mouthpiece ring is configured to engage the atomizer housing.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, an atomizer assembly for an e-cigarette device includes an atomizer body assembly; and a mouthpiece assembly. The mouthpiece assembly is configured to engage the atomizer body assembly, and the mouthpiece assembly includes a mouthpiece cover, a tubular mouthpiece fastener, and a mouthpiece ring having a central aperture. The atomizer body assembly includes an atomizer housing, an atomization tube, and an atomization seat configured to position the atomization tube within the atomizer housing. The mouthpiece fastener is partially disposed within the atomization tube, and wherein the mouthpiece fastener extends through the central aperture of the mouthpiece ring to snap-fit engage the mouthpiece cover.
In accordance with a yet further embodiment of the present invention, the mouthpiece fastener includes at least one groove extending around the circumference of the mouthpiece fastener configured to engage the mouthpiece cover.
In accordance with a still further embodiment of the present invention, the mouthpiece cover includes at least two snap-in seats configured to engage the mouthpiece fastener. The mouthpiece fastener includes a snap portion configured to engage the at least two snap-in seats.
In accordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention, the mouthpiece assembly is configured to engage an atomizer housing. The mouthpiece ring is configured to engage the atomizer housing.
In accordance with a yet additional embodiment of the present invention, an e-liquid storage cavity is defined by the atomizer housing, the atomization tube, and the atomization seat.
This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which can become apparent from the following description, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention or be understood through practice of the present invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
The various present embodiments now will be discussed in detail with an emphasis on highlighting the advantageous features with reference to the drawings of various embodiments. The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, but not to limit the invention. These drawings include the following figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts: The above and/or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent and easily understood from the descriptions of the embodiments with reference to the following drawings, wherein:
The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an electronic cigarette assembly. The following detailed description describes the present embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers label elements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers are reproduced below in connection with the discussion of the corresponding drawing features. It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, many other elements found in electronic cigarette assemblies. Those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts may recognize that other elements and/or steps are desirable and/or required in implementing the present invention. However, because such elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements and steps is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such variations and modifications to such elements and methods known to those skilled in the pertinent arts.
Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail hereinafter, and illustrations of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, wherein identical or similar reference numerals denote identical or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described hereinafter with reference to the drawings are exemplary and only intended to explain the present invention, and cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.
With reference to
As seen
The positioning seat 19 is driven to rotate by its press-fit engagement with the air intake adjustment ring 18 so that, when the air intake adjustment ring 18 is rotated, the positioning seat 19 rotates with the air intake adjustment ring 18. Movement of the positioning seat 19 and the hole 191 controls the volume/speed of air intake. That is, when all four air holes are fully aligned, the maximum volume of air can pass through, but when the hole 191 is moved, the amount of air passing through the air holes is reduced. Holes 220, 221 are always in communication with each other. With the positioning seat 19 rotated, holes 191, 221, 222 are fully aligned, and the maximum volume of air can pass through. When the hole 191 is moved, the air intake volume can be changed, but the speed of air is not necessarily increased as the speed of the air is related to the force of the vaping.
The base 22 is a first electrode, and the electrode 24 is a second electrode. The base 22 and the electrode 24 are electrically connected with the electric heating element of the ceramic atomization core 15. The insulating ring 23 can be made from various elastomers including, without limitation, silicone. The insulating ring 23 separates the base 22 (i.e., the first electrode) from the electrode 24 (i.e., the second electrode).
The atomizer body assembly 120 includes the mouthpiece fastener 12, the atomization tube 13, the e-liquid guide cotton 14, the ceramic atomization core 15, the tubular atomizer housing 16, the seal ring 17, the tubular air intake adjustment ring 18, the positioning seat 19, the atomization seat 20, the ceramic sealing silicone 21, the base 22, the insulating ring 23, and the electrode 24. In the alternative, the mouthpiece fastener 12 may be viewed as part of the mouthpiece assembly 100. The base 22 is a circuit board that acts as a mount for various components including, without limitation, the atomization core 15. The atomization core 15 is connected to the battery assembly (not shown) through the base 22 to form a circuit. The atomization seat 20 is used to support other elements and functions to locate the position tolerance of other elements.
An e-liquid storage cavity 25 contains e-liquid. As mentioned above, the “e-liquid” or “e-juice” is a liquid solution that may contain varying amounts of various substances (alone or in combination) that can include, without limitation, nicotine, cannabis (e.g., THC, CBD), flavorings, and/or other chemicals. The e-liquid storage cavity 25 is defined by the interior wall of the atomizer housing 16, the exterior of the atomization tube 13, and a top portion of the atomization seat 20. When the bottom portion of the mouthpiece ring 11 is disposed over an open upper end of the atomizer housing 16, an upper portion of the e-liquid storage cavity 25 is covered, and sealed by the mouthpiece ring 11. The atomization tube 13 is provided with an e-liquid intake hole 26 through which the e-liquid passes through to the e-liquid guide cotton 14 and the ceramic atomization core 15. The atomization core 15 includes an electric heating element (not shown for clarity) for the e-liquid delivered to the atomization core 15 to form an aerosol or vapor which will reach the mouthpiece cover 50 through the atomization tube 13 and the vapor exhaust channel for a user to inhale. The electric heating element is powered by a power source (e.g., a battery) in a battery assembly portion (not shown) of the e-cigarette device. The battery assembly (not shown) is connected to the atomizer assembly 10 to form the e-cigarette device. An electrode hole (not shown) is formed in the base 22 to allow an electrode (not shown) of the electric heating element to pass through and electro-mechanically engage the electrode 24, so as to achieve electrical connection to the battery assembly for powering the electric heating element. The e-liquid storage cavity 25 is designed such that e-liquid is disposed within the e-liquid storage cavity 25. Depending on design requirements, storage capacity of the e-liquid storage cavity 25 can be configured, as required (e.g., 0.5 ml, 1 ml, 2 ml, etc.). The e-liquid storage cotton 14 is disposed around the atomization core 15 within the bottom portion of the atomization tube 13. The e-liquid storage cotton 14 will absorb e-liquid from the e-liquid storage cavity 25. In the alternative, the e-liquid storage cotton 14 can be disposed within the e-liquid storage cavity 25. When the e-liquid storage cotton 14 is present in the e-liquid storage cavity 25, there is an added benefit of reducing leakage of the e-liquid from the e-liquid storage cavity 25. The e-liquid can be directly introduced into the e-liquid storage cavity 25 without the storage cotton 14 being present in the e-liquid storage cavity 25. When the e-liquid storage cotton 14 is not present in the e-liquid storage cavity 25, the e-liquid storage cavity 25 has the capacity to hold a larger amount of e-liquid since there is no e-liquid storage cotton 14 taking up space within the e-liquid storage cavity 25. The atomization tube 13 is generally disposed within atomizer housing 16, and helps define the e-liquid storage cavity 25. The e-liquid gets introduced into the atomization core 15 from the e-liquid storage cavity 25 through the e-liquid inlet hole or e-liquid guide hole 26, through the e-liquid guide cotton 14 to the atomization core 15. The atomization core 15 includes two e-liquid intake holes, with two atomization channels in the atomization core 15 with each atomization channel having its own heating element (leads from the atomization core 15 are not shown for clarity. The e-liquid flows obliquely from the bottom of the e-liquid storage cavity 25 to the e-liquid guide hole 26, then enters the interior of the atomization tube 13 from the e-liquid guide hole 26, through the e-liquid guide cotton 14, to the ceramic atomization core 15 where the e-liquid is heated and atomized. A smoke guide portion of the atomization tube 13 and the tubular mouthpiece fastener 12 (partially disposed within the smoke guide portion of the atomization tube 13) provide a path for vaporized e-liquid to travel to the mouthpiece assembly 100 for inhalation by a user. The atomization core 15 is provided with porous ceramics, and the inner wall of the atomization core 15 is embedded with the electric heating element.
The mouthpiece assembly 100 includes the mouthpiece cover 50, and the mouthpiece ring 11. The mouthpiece cover 50 can be made of various materials including metal (e.g., stainless steel (in particular, stainless steel 316L)). The mouthpiece fastener 12 can be made of various materials including, without limitation, metal (e.g., brass). The mouthpiece assembly 100 includes a hollow vapor exhaust channel in communication with the atomization tube 13. The mouthpiece assembly 100, and portions of the atomizer body assembly 120 define the e-liquid storage cavity 25. The mouthpiece cover 50 is configured to engage the mouthpiece ring 11. The mouthpiece cover 50 is also configured to snap-fit engage the mouthpiece fastener 12. The mouthpiece fastener 12 includes a snap portion 131 located at an upper end of the mouthpiece fastener 12. The snap portion 131 includes a snap groove which is shaped to be a ring extending in a circumferential direction of the mouthpiece fastener 12. The mouthpiece fastener 12 further includes a guide portion 132 configured at a side of the snap groove away from an e-liquid cavity housing where the guide portion 132 obliquely extends towards an axis of the mouthpiece fastener 12 from an edge of the snap groove in a direction away from the snap groove. The atomization tube 13 includes a central atomization channel. A lower portion of the mouthpiece fastener 12 is lowered into an upper portion of the atomization tube 13, until an upper end of the atomization tube 13 abuts against a lower portion of a flange portion 133 extending around the mouthpiece fastener 12, which prevents the lower portion of the mouthpiece fastener 12 from moving further downward within the atomization channel of the atomization tube 13. A lower portion of the mouthpiece ring 11 is lowered into an upper portion of the atomizer housing 16, until an upper end of the atomizer housing 16 abuts against a lower portion of a flange portion 135 extending around the mouthpiece ring 11, which prevents the lower portion of the mouthpiece ring 11 from moving further downward within the atomizer housing 16. The mouthpiece ring 11 is in press-fit engagement with the interior diameter of the housing 16. As seen in
When the mouthpiece ring 11 is placed over the open end of the e-liquid cavity housing, an upper end of the mouthpiece fastener 12 extends through a central bore in the mouthpiece ring 11 until a shoulder portion 134 of the mouthpiece ring 11 abuts against an upper portion of the flange portion 133 extending around the mouthpiece fastener 12. The mouthpiece ring 11 forms a seal over the e-liquid storage cavity 25, with the central bore of the mouthpiece ring 11 forming a seal around a portion of the mouthpiece fastener 12 and a portion of the atomization tube 13.
The mouthpiece cover 50 includes a channel or passage 52 defining a path into which an upper portion of the mouthpiece fastener 12 extends when the mouthpiece cover 50 engages the mouthpiece fastener 12. The mouthpiece fastener 12 includes a central smoke guide tube 27 extending therethrough. The smoke guide tube 27 is in communication with the atomization tube 13 when the mouthpiece fastener 12 is at least partially disposed and extends into the atomization tube 13. The positioning of the mouthpiece fastener 12 into the atomization tube 13, and extension of the mouthpiece fastener 12 through the central aperture of the mouthpiece ring 11 assists in alignment and positioning of the mouthpiece fastener 12 into the channel or passage 52 of the mouthpiece cover 50 for snap-fit engagement of the mouthpiece fastener 12 with the mouthpiece cover 50.
The mouthpiece cover 50 includes a rigid body portion 55 and a snap-in seat 51. The mouthpiece body portion 55 can be sleeved on the end of the e-liquid cavity housing exposed from a body housing. When the mouthpiece cover 50 is sleeved on an end of the rest of the atomizer assembly 10 (i.e. the portion forming the e-liquid cavity housing), the snap portion 131 of the mouthpiece fastener 12 is in snapping connection or engagement with the snap-in seat 51 so as to connect the mouthpiece cover 50 to the rest of the atomizer assembly 10. The snap-in seat 51 includes a snap arm 510 extending towards the mouthpiece fastener 12 from the body portion 55, and a snap protrusion 511 protrudes inwardly from an end of the snap arm 510. The snap protrusion 511 is configured to engage the mouthpiece fastener 12 to the width of the snap groove. When the mouthpiece cover 50 engages the mouthpiece fastener 12, the support seat 54 abuts against an upper portion of the flange portion 135 extending around the mouthpiece ring 11. The mouthpiece cover 50 can be made from various materials including, without limitation metal (e.g., stainless steel (in particular, stainless steel 316L), plastic, and the like. The snap-in seat 51 can be made from various materials including, without limitation, plastic, and the like. The mouthpiece cover 50 and the snap-in seat 51 may be joined by various means including, without limitation, press-fit engagement, close-fitting riveting, welding, or the like. For example, in
As pointed out above, the mouthpiece ring 11 may be made from various softs materials including, without limitation, silicone, plastic, and the like. When the mouthpiece cover 50 is sleeved on the end of the rest of the atomizer assembly 10 (i.e., the e-liquid cavity housing), the mouthpiece cover 50 abuts against the mouthpiece ring 11 (i.e., the support seat 54 abuts against an upper portion of the flange portion 135), and the mouthpiece ring 11 provides reverse elastic potential energy, such that the snap portion 131 is tightly snapped in the snap-in seat 51. In particular, a support seat 54 of the mouthpiece cover 50 abuts against the mouthpiece ring 11 when the mouthpiece cover 50 is sleeved on the end of the rest of the atomizer assembly 10 (i.e., the e-liquid cavity housing), and elastic potential energy of the mouthpiece ring 11 is transferred to the snap-in seats 51 via the support seat 54.
The mouthpiece cover 50 can include any desired number of snap-in seats 51. Four (4) snap-in seats 51 are illustrated in
The snapping connection described above provides increased assembly efficiency. Furthermore, the silicone mouthpiece ring 11 provides reverse trapezoid potential energy, tightly snapping the snap portion 131 in the snap-in seat 51, which provides excellent sealing performance.
With reference to
With reference to
The mouthpiece cover 250 includes a channel or passage 52 defining a path into which an upper portion of the mouthpiece fastener 12 extends when the mouthpiece assembly 100 engages the mouthpiece fastener 12. The mouthpiece insert 252 includes a circumferential flange 256. A bottom circumferential portion of the mouthpiece cover 250 engages a top portion of the flange 256 when the mouthpiece cover 250 engages the mouthpiece insert 252. A top portion of the mouthpiece ring 211 engages a bottom portion of the flange 256 when the mouthpiece ring 211 engages the mouthpiece inert 252. The mouthpiece insert 252 includes at least two (2) snap-in seats 251, wherein the at least two (2) snap-in seats 251 are arranged at one hundred eighty (180) degrees around the mouthpiece fastener 12. Support seats 254 are provided at the ends of the snap-in seats 251 facing the rest of the atomizer assembly 10 (i.e., the e-liquid cavity housing). The support seats 254 abut against the mouthpiece ring 211 when the mouthpiece cover 250 is sleeved on the end of the rest of the atomizer assembly 210 (i.e., the e-liquid cavity housing), electronic, and elastic potential energy of the mouthpiece ring 211 is transferred to the snap-in seats 251 via the support seats 254.
The mouthpiece cover 250 is crimped and matched with the snap-in seats 251 and support seats 254. The mouthpiece fastener 12 also includes a number of circumferential grooves 211 in which seal rings 400 are disposed in order to prevent e-liquid in the e-liquid storage cavity 25 from entering the mouthpiece cover 250. Another seal ring 402 is disposed about the mouthpiece fastener 12 in order to prevent the aerosol or vapor from entering the e-liquid storage cavity 25 due to possible gaps between the mouthpiece fastener 12 and the e-liquid storage cavity 25.
In the alternative, the atomization tube 13 and mouthpiece fastener 12 may be combined into a single-piece construction such that an upper portion of the atomization tube 13 (i.e., the smoke guide tube portion of the atomization tube 13) may be sized and shaped like a portion of the mouthpiece fastener 12 configured to engage the mouthpiece assembly 100.
In addition, the claimed invention is not limited in size and may be constructed in various sizes in which the same or similar principles of operation as described above would apply. Furthermore, the figures (and various components shown therein) of the specification are not to be construed as drawn to scale.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Throughout this specification the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. In other words, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property can include additional elements not having that property. In other words, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. In other words, the use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and additional items. Further, references to “one embodiment” or “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments or implementations that also incorporate the recited features. The term “exemplary” is intended to mean “an example of”.
As used herein, the singular forms “a” “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In other words, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or steps. Further, references to “one embodiment” or “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments or implementations that also incorporate the recited features. Thus, when introducing elements of aspects of the disclosure or the examples thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. In other words, the indefinite articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” as used in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary. Any range or value given herein can be extended or altered without losing the effect sought, as will be apparent to the skilled person.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
In the description of the present invention, several means one or more, a plurality of means more than two, greater than, less than, more than, and the like are understood as not including this number, while above, below, within, and the like are understood as including this number. If there are the descriptions of first and second, it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features, and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.
In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms “installation”, “connected” and “connection” if any shall be understood in a broad sense unless otherwise specified and defined. For example, they may be fixed connection, removable connection or integrated connection; may be mechanical connection or electrical connection; and may be direct connection, or indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and connection inside two elements. The specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in a specific case by those of ordinary skills in the art.
While various spatial and directional terms, such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “rear”, “left” “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside” “outside”, “upper,” “lower,” and the like are used to describe embodiments and implementations of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations can be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that a top side becomes a bottom side if the structure is flipped 180 degrees, becomes a left side or a right side if the structure is pivoted 90°, and the like. In other words, spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “above”, “lateral”, “longitudinal” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or position relationship indicated by the terms is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, it is only for the convenience of description of the present invention and simplification of the description, and it is not to indicate or imply that the indicated device or element must have a specific orientation, and be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms shall not be understood as limiting the present invention.
As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configured to” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed, constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an object that is merely capable of being modified to perform the task or operation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as used herein.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above can relate to one embodiment or can relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ item refers to one or more of those items.
The order of execution or performance of the operations in examples of the disclosure illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the disclosure can include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation (e.g., different steps, etc.) is within the scope of aspects and implementations of the disclosure. In other words, the method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
The phrase “one or more of the following: A, B, and C” means “at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or at least one of C.” The phrase “and/or”, as used in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e. “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of “only one of or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
As briefly discussed above, as used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. Ordinal terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term), to distinguish the claim elements.
Having described aspects of the disclosure in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the disclosure without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the disclosure, the embodiments are by no means limiting and are example embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
This written description uses examples to disclose the various embodiments of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the various embodiments of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those persons of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above that are fully equivalent. Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment of the invention may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above. Consequently, this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, this invention covers all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention.
The following claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope of the invention. The illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that should not be taken as limiting the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
Various technical features of the above embodiments may be combined randomly, and in order to simplify the description, possible combinations of various technical features in the above embodiments are not all described. However, as long as the combinations of these technical features have no contradiction, the combinations of these technical features should be considered as falling into the scope recorded by the specification.
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those of ordinary skills in the art may understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principle and purpose of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
The following claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope of the invention. The illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that should not be taken as limiting the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
