Patent Application
20200329849
This patent document contains material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of this patent document or any related materials in the files of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
This invention relates to protective devices and systems, including protective facial patches used during the application of cosmetics.
It is not uncommon for a potential customer of makeup to try on different colors and/or shades of makeup at a store's makeup counter prior to purchasing the makeup. In this way, the customer may see firsthand how they may appear while wearing the desired color and/or shade prior to purchase.
However, it is also not uncommon for the sample makeup to be applied using a makeup applicator that has been used prior by other potential makeup customers. Accordingly, the sample makeup and makeup applicator may include undesirable microbes (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.) from the prior use that may be transmitted to the current user. For example, the makeup and/or the makeup applicators may include Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and/or Pseudomonas aeruginosa that may cause conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye) and other infectious diseases or infections.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system that may protect a person from unwanted contaminants while trying on makeup. There is also a need for one or more protective layers that may protect a person's skin from unwanted contaminants while trying on makeup.
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
A system according to exemplary embodiments of the current invention is described with reference to the figures.
In general, the protective system according to exemplary embodiments hereof may provide protection from undesirable contaminants such as microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.) and other types of contaminants.
In one exemplary embodiment hereof, the protective system may include one or more patches or layers that may be applied to a person's skin in order to protect it thereby. For example, in one preferred implementation, the patch is applied to a portion of a person's face (e.g., the person's eyelids, cheeks, lips, etc.) while the person is trying on makeup or cosmetics (e.g., at a store, makeup counter, spas, hair salons, exhibits, etc.). The makeup or cosmetics is then be applied to the outer surface of the protective layer and not directly to the person's skin. In this way, the protective layer thereby prevents the transfer of any undesirable microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, dirt, other types of microorganisms, chemicals and/or other types of contaminants from the makeup and/or makeup applicator to the skin underneath the layer. In this way it can be seen that the patch may help to prevent infections on the person's face due to transferred bacteria or viruses.
The system 10 may include a patch, thin film, strip, shield, sheet, substrate or any other type of layer that may be temporarily applied to a person's body (e.g., a person's face) while applying makeup or cosmetics. The patch may also be referred to as a protective patch or layer. In some embodiments, the system 10 includes a soft, translucent, disposable patch that may be used and subsequently discarded.
For the purpose of this specification and for demonstration, the system and its method of use will be described primarily in relation to the application of makeup and cosmetics. However, it will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, upon reading this specification, that the system may be used in any application that may benefit from the system, and that the scope of the system is not limited in any way by the type of application of the system.
In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in
For the purposes of this specification and for demonstration, the details of the patches (e.g., patches 12, 14,16 and/or any other patch adapted to cover any other portion of the user's body) and each patch's one or more layers will be described primarily in relation to the eyelid patch 12. However, it is understood that the details described herein may pertain to any patch 12, 14, 16, and/or any other patch adapted to cover any other body areas. It is also understood that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the body area(s) that the patches may be designed to cover.
In one exemplary embodiment hereof, each protective patch 12 may include one or more layers. The patch 12 may preferably be fabricated as a film and die-cut into different shapes that adequately cover the target area on the face (e.g., eye lids, lips, cheeks, chin, forehead, etc.) or body (etc., arms, hands, palms, fingertips, etc.). The patch 12 may be made of a single layer of clear and/or pigmented elastomeric resin, and/or may include multiple layers of similar or dissimilar resins and/or other functional layers (e.g., primers, adhesives, transfer layers for make-up, etc.).
In one exemplary embodiment hereof, one or more layers of the patch 12 may comprise a polymer material, polyurethane, an elastomer, latex, latex composite, polyolefin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyisoprene, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyacrylamide, polyester, polyamide, polyuria, polyether, silicone, polyose, cellulose, wax, and/or other materials, and any combination thereof. The patch 12 may include materials that may include natural fibers, a fabric or other woven form, a paper or other non-woven form, wood, bio-cellulose and other types of fibers and materials. It is understood that the patch 12 and the layers that may make up the patch 12 may include any materials or combinations of materials that meet the requirements of the system 10.
As shown in
In one exemplary embodiment hereof, a first layer 18-1 (e.g., the bottom layer) of the patch 12 may include protective layer 18-1 (e.g., a carrier layer or plastic strip) that may cover and protect a second layer 18-2 that may include an adhesive layer 18-2. This may be beneficial when the patch 12 may be in storage and not in use. The protective layer 18-1 may then be removed (e.g., by peeling it off) in order to expose the adhesive layer 18-2 underneath. The adhesive layer 18-2 may secure the patch 12 to the person's face. Once the adhesive may be exposed, the patch 12 may be applied. The patch 12 also may include a third (or top) layer 18-3 that protects the user's skin from contaminants and upon which the cosmetics may be applied.
In one preferable embodiment, the patch 12 is easily peeled off from the carrier layer 18-1 by fingers or the aid of tweezers or similar grabbing utensils. Accordingly, the release liner 18-1 preferably comprises flexible material(s) like paper, polyolefin films, or polyester films, and coated at the release surface with an appropriate resin (e.g. polyethylene, silicones, fluorinated silicones etc.) that reduces the surface energy of the release surface.
It may be preferable that the adhesive be strong enough to secure the patch 12 to the person's skin so that the patch 12 may not move during the application of the makeup or cosmetics. It may also be preferable that the adhesive be weak enough that the patch 12 may be easily removed (e.g., by peeling it off the skin) without undue effort and/or without causing undue irritation to the person's skin. In this way the patch 12 may be temporary. It may also be preferable that the adhesive not cause irritation, rashes, or any other types of undesirable skin conditions when used. In one preferred implementation, the adhesive may include a pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive. However, it is understood that any type of adhesive that may include the necessary criteria and performance may be used.
In one exemplary embodiment hereof, the patch 12 may be a single use patch and may be discarded after it is removed (e.g., the patch 12 may be disposable). In another exemplary embodiment hereof, the patch 12 may be a multi-use patch and may be cleaned (e.g., wiped off) and reused. In this embodiment, it may be preferable that the adhesive include multi-use adhesive.
In one exemplary embodiment hereof, a top layer 18-3 of the patch 12 may include a surface that may be configured to receive the makeup or cosmetics. For example, the top surface of the patch may include a slight texture so that the makeup or cosmetics may adhere properly to the patch 12 when applied without smearing. In one preferable implementation, the top surface of the patch may include a texture that may receive and hold the makeup or cosmetics in a fashion that may resemble human skin. To this end, the top surface of the patch 12 may include a mat finish, a glossy finish, a textured finish and any combination thereof.
In one example of this as shown in
In one embodiment as shown in
It is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the above examples are meant for demonstration and that they patch 12 may include any number of layers, and that any individual layer and/or any combination of layers may be used as protective layers as described. It is also understood that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the number and/or use of each individual layer, any combination of layers, and any combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the protective layers may provide protection from the contaminants by physically preventing the contaminants from passing from the top surface of the patch 12 to the bottom surface of the patch 12. For example, the layers may include molecular structures that may be impenetrable to bacteria, viruses, fungi and/or other types of microorganisms. In this way, it may be preferable that no bacteria, virus, fungi, other microorganisms or other types of undesirable contaminants be able to physically pass from the top surface of the patch 12 to the bottom surface of the patch 12, and onto the person's skin underneath. The patch 12 and its layers may include any type of materials that may be adequate for these purposes.
In another exemplary embodiment hereof, one or more of the layers of the patch 12 may include antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral and/or antifungal elements that may kill or otherwise inhibit and/or eliminate any microbes (e.g., bacteria and/or viruses) that may come into contact with the layers of the patch 12. In this way, the patch 12 may kill or otherwise prevent the bacteria and/or viruses from passing through the patch 12 to the skin underneath. For example, one or more layers of the patch 12 may be impregnated with agents such as polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), ionic silver or other types of antimicrobial agents or elements. In another example, one or more layers of the patch 12 may include nanoparticles and/or nanomaterials (e.g., nano-silver) that may act as antimicrobial agents.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the shapes of the patches 12, 14, 16 are symmetrical while in other embodiments the shapes of the patches 12, 14, 16 are asymmetrical. For example,
Similarly,
In some embodiments, the shapes shown in
In another embodiment, the cheek patches 14 may include shapes, sizes and contours so that each cheek patch 14 may cover the desired portions of the person's cheeks such that blush (or other makeup) may be applied to these areas and the skin underneath the patches 14 may be protected.
In some embodiments, the shape shown in
In some embodiments, the shape shown in
In some embodiments, the shapes shown in
In another embodiment, the lips patch 16 may include shapes, sizes and contours so that each lip patch 16 may cover the desired portions of the person's lips such that lipstick, lip balm or other types of lip products may be applied to these areas and the skin underneath the patches 16 may be protected.
In some embodiments, the shape shown in
It is understood that the contours, shapes and sizes of the system 10 and the patches 12, 14, 16 described in the above examples and as shown in
The patches 12 may be laser cut, die cut, kiss cut and/or cut using other cutting methods into different shapes after the coating process and may be packaged as a roll or as individual patches 12. The patch 12 may optionally be cast/molded directly into cavities that resemble capsules/tablet packaging. The molded or thermoformed structure may be used both for fabrication and as a packaging solution for the consumer.
It may be preferable that the patches 12, 14, 16 be comfortable when worn and that the patches 12, 14, 16 may not adversely inhibit the movement of the person wearing the patches 12, 14, 16. For example, it may be preferable that the eyelid patches 12 not inhibit the wearer from blinking, or the cheek patches 14 and/or the lip patches 16 not inhibit the wearer from smiling.
Exemplary Properties
In one exemplary embodiment hereof, the patch 12 is thick enough to be handled easily by hand or by using a utensil (e.g., tweezers), and thin enough to be smoothly formed onto curved surfaces like eye lids, lips, cheeks and/or other body parts. In one embodiment, the preferred thickness of the patch 12 is 1-3 mils. In other embodiments, the patch 12 may be 0.5-10 mils depending on the mechanical properties of the resin used to form the patch layer 12.
In some embodiments, the thickness of the patch 12 is controlled by melt extrusion and/or appropriately metering the patch layer using a liquid casting method (e.g. extrusion coating, slot die coating, curtain coating etc.). The casting process may be followed by a curing and/or drying process, for example, by using a heat source and/or radiation.
In some embodiments, the patch 12 is preferably soft enough to provide comfort to the user during its application and use. In some embodiments, the patch's preferred Shore A Hardness values range between 45 and 65. In other embodiments, the patch's Shore A Hardness values range from 25 to 95.
In some embodiments, the patch's adhesive layer is tacky enough to stick onto the user's skin during the application of makeup or other substances, and weak enough to be easily peeled off from the skin after the application without leaving any residue on the skin surface or causing discomfort to the user. In some embodiments, the preferred adhesion strength ranges from 0.25 to 1.0 N per 2.5 cm. In other embodiments, the adhesion strength ranges from 0.05 to 2.0 N per 2.5 cm.
In some embodiments hereof, the patch 12 may be transparent, opaque, solid colored and any combination thereof. For example, the layers that make up the patches 12, 14, 16 may all be transparent, may all be opaque, may include pigments, may all be solid colored, may include a gradient of pigment, or may be a combination of transparent, opaque, pigmented, solid colored and/or with a gradient of pigment. Other patterns of transparent and/or pigmented portions may also be included. In some embodiments, the various layers of the patch 12 are preferentially made from translucent and/or transparent resins that demonstrate low haze levels. In this way, the color of the underlying skin at the point of application may be viewed through the patch 12. In some embodiments, the patch 12 comprises non-woven material (e.g., non-woven fabrics), paper, or similar textured materials. These materials may be preferred for ease of application, ideal pigmentation of color cosmetics, and easy disposal. In other embodiments, the patch 12 and adhesive may be selected from renewable feedstock such that the patches 12 are environmentally friendly. In some embodiments, the patch resins may comprise polymers of silicones, esters, ethers, urethanes, acrylates, methacrylates, synthetic rubbers (e.g., isobutylene, isoprene, styrene and ethylene). Note also that miscible resins from the list above may be blended to create a compounded solution for the soft, elastomeric layer of the patch 12.
In some embodiments, the physical properties of each layer (e.g. haze, surface texture, adhesion, etc.) can be tuned using organic additives (e.g., natural oils, synthetic oils, plasticizers, tackifiers, UV stabilizers, antioxidants) and/or inorganic additives (e.g., Fumed Silica, Nano Silica, Zinc oxide, zirconia, titanium oxide etc.).
In some embodiments, the surfaces of the patches 12 may be modified to enhance pigmentation from color cosmetics as well as the wetting properties for appropriate application of the adhesive during manufacturing. The modification may include a physical processing (e.g., embossing a rough texture onto the surface) and/or a chemical processing (e.g., corona treatment). In addition, a top primer layer on the patch 12 may be provided for better pigmentation of the color cosmetics.
In one exemplary embodiment hereof, the system 10 and the patch 12 may come in different colors. For example, the system 10 and the patch 12 may be provided in a variety of skin tones. In this way, the person using the system 10 may choose a system 10 and the patches 12 that may most closely resemble his/her own skin tone. This may enable the makeup, once applied to the patches 12, to more closely represent how the makeup may appear if applied directly to the person's skin.
In another exemplary embodiment hereof, the system 10 and the patches 12 may be provided with makeup pre-applied to the patches 12. The makeup applied to each patch 12 may or may not match. In other exemplary embodiments hereof, the system 10 and the patches 12 may come in colors that may represent the different shades and colors that may be available as makeup. The colors of the patches 12 may or may not match. It is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the system 10 and the patches 12 may come blank, in any colors, with any type of makeup pre-applied and any combination thereof, and that the scope of the system 10 and of the patches 12 is not limited in any way by the color of the patches 12 or by the color and/or the type of any makeup that may be pre-applied to the patches 12.
In one exemplary embodiment hereof, the system 10 and the patches 12 may come as a part of a kit that may include the makeup, the makeup applicators and other products. In this way, the patches 12 may include colors, shapes, sizes and other aspects that may be more particularly pertain to the makeup that the system 10 may be included with.
In Use
One exemplary method by which the system 10 and the patches 12, 14, 16 may be used, may include the steps described below, without limitation:
Note that while the steps described above used the eyelid patch 12 as an example, it is understood that similar methods including similar steps may be used for any other type of patch(es) that may be included with the system 10.
It is understood that while this specification describes patches 12 that may be primarily applied to a person's eyelids, cheeks and/or lips, the system 10 and its patches 12 may be applied and used with any element or portions of a person's body. It is also understood that any and/or all of the aspects of the patches 12 may pertain to any of the patches that may be applied to any portions of the person's body.
Additional embodiments and details of the patch 12 will be described by way of several detailed in-use examples. The examples provided below are chosen to illustrate various embodiments and implementations of the patch 12 and its various elements and characteristics, and those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand, upon reading this description, that the examples are not limiting and that the patch 12 may include other materials and/or elements and may be used in different ways. It is also understood that details of different embodiments described in different examples may be combined in any way to form additional embodiments that are all within the scope of the patch 12.
I. Patch Layer
In some embodiments, the patch layer may comprise clear elastomeric resins, which may be melt extruded, solvent cast and/or cross-linked. The following examples demonstrate different types of resins that may be effectively used as the patch layer:
Trade Name: 18103 from SWM International
Composition: Thermoplastic polyurethane made out of Aromatic polyether
General Uses: textile lamination, medical devices
Extrusion method: blown film
Gauge: 1.0-10 mils (25-250 microns)
Properties: Smooth surface; Mid-range softening temperature; USP Class VI certified polymer; FDA CFR 175.105
Hardness: ASTMD-2240 Shore 84 A
Tensile stress @ 100% elongation: ASTMD-412 900 psi; 6.2 MPa
Tensile stress @ 300% elongation: ASTMD-412 1450 psi; 9.6 MPa
Tensile strength: ASTMD-412 5500 psi; 37.9 MPa
Elongation @ break: ASTMD-412% 540
Tensile set @ break: ASTMD-412% 40
Tear strength: ASTMD-6241 460 pli; 80.6 kN/m
Abrasion resistance: ASTMD-10442 20 mg loss
Trade Name: 18433 from SWM International
Composition: Thermoplastic polyurethane made out of Aromatic polyether
General Uses: textile lamination, flame resistance
Extrusion method: blown film
Gauge: 1.0-10 mils (25-250 microns)
Properties: Smooth surface; Mid-range softening temperature; UL-94 V2; FAR 25.853 (A)
Hardness: ASTMD-2240 Shore 86 A
Tensile stress @ 100% elongation: ASTMD-412 1100 psi; 7.6 MPa
Tensile stress @ 300% elongation: ASTMD-412 1750 psi; 12 MPa
Tensile strength: ASTMD-412 4800 psi; 33.0 MPa
Elongation @ break: ASTMD-412% 640
Tear strength: ASTMD-624 600 pli; 105 kN/m
Abrasion resistance: ASTMD-1044 30 mg loss
Trade Name: KRATONTM G1643 M [2]
Composition: Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene Block Copolymer (polystyrene content of 20%)
General Uses: a modifier of thermoplastics; find use in formulating adhesives, sealants, coatings
Extrusion method: Blown film, or linear extrusion followed by biaxial or uniaxial stretching.
Gauge: 1.0-10 mils (25-250 microns)
Properties: Surface can be modified to improve adhesion
Hardness: ASTMD-2240 Shore 52 A
Tensile strength: ASTMD-412>1500 psi
Elongation @ break: ASTMD-412>% 600
Melt Flow, 230C/2.16 kg: ASTM D1238 19 gms/10 min
The examples in this category represent the versions of Example 3 modified with poly(isobutylene) (a.k.a. PIB, CAS# 9003-27-4) polymer.
Trade Name: KRATON™ G1643 M [2] & TPC 1160 AU 49019
TPC 1160 is a viscous non-drying polybutene polymer. TPC 1160 is non-toxic, imparts lubricity and tackiness, and corrosion protection.
TPC 1160 burns without residue, has good thermal stability, and superior dielectric properties. Supplied at 625-685 cSt at 100C (1,550 MW).
When blended with liquid PIB, SEBS become softer and more complaint with a 20-30% reduction at Shore A hardness values. The films (1-10 mils) are translucent and easy to be modified at surface for proper pigmentation using various color cosmetics. The examples include 3 units of SEBS blended with 1 or 2 units of PIB additive polymer. The blends can be solvent cast on smooth or frosted glass using paint thinner. The dry thicknesses can be ranged between 1 to 10 mils. Similar compositions can be linearly extruded excluding any organic solvents and using appropriate amount of antioxidant additives (e.g. 1.0% by wt. Irganox 1010).
Trade Name: N/A
Composition: poly(butyl acrylate) (CAS# 9003-63-8) & poly(butyl methacrylate) (CAS# 9003-49-0)
General Uses: find use in formulating adhesives, sealants, coatings
Extrusion method: Solvent Cast or Melt Extruded Films.
Gauge: 1.0-10 mils (25-250 microns)
Properties: Surface can be modified to improve adhesion
Poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA, Glass Transition Temperature ˜20° C.) can be compounded with poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA, Glass Transition
Temperature ˜−53° C.) as miscible blends at variable concentrations.
These blends form translucent soft films when co-extruded.
Two formulations of these resins were prepared in Toluene (20% Resin, 80% Solvent) and solvent cast on glass substrates to prepare 10 mil films.
PBMA:PBA (3:1 by wt.) Shore Hardness 75 A Pigmentation by color Cosmetic: Good to Acceptable Level
PBMA:PBA (3:2 by wt.) Shore Hardness 71 A Pigmentation by color Cosmetic: Acceptable Level when cast on Frosted Glass
In this example, the pigmentation of color cosmetics were improved when the formulations were cast on frosted glass, instead of smooth surfaces.
In some embodiments, the adhesive may comprise silicones blended with curing agents and/or additives. Generally, the tack may decrease as the weight (thickness) of the adhesive coating decreases. The adhesive layer may be laid onto the patch layer using a slot die coater, gravure printer, reverse gravure printer, flexographic printer and/or by other means.
In some embodiments, the use of silicones demonstrates low skin irritation, low sensitization, and adequate repositionability on the skin.
In some embodiments, the following resins may be used at a 1-3 mil thickness range:
In some embodiments, gel is generally formed by crosslinking reactions between linear or branched silicones having reactive groups during curing. A preferred example of cross-linking reactions includes the hydrosilylation reaction in which organosiloxane having a Si-H reactive group reacts with alkenyl substituted polydiorganosiloxane in the presence of a plantinum catalyst.
Preferred siloxane components are generally used in the reaction at 1:1 ratio and cure at normal ambient temperatures, but the cure reaction may be accelerated at elevated temperature.
The consistency, strength, softness and tackiness may be adjusted by a number of factors including the ratio of reactive groups in the materials, the viscosity of siloxane fluids, and coating weights of gel to obtain a product with the properties desired for a given use. Examples may include Vinyl terminated Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and/or Hydrogen terminated PDMS.
The inventors determined the following: In general, at wound care applications, the hydrophilic material is capable of swelling in water, transporting water, and is preferably soluble in water. It generally absorbs excess perspiration or draining fluid from a wound, forming a gel that gets trapped in the bandage, turning the area of the gel white. Hydrocolloid may also assist in keeping the underlying area moist at a preferred level, a key tenet in a wound-healing bandage. The inventors realized that the hydrocolloid absorbent may reduce the tack to desirable levels and moderate the aggressiveness of the adhesive.
In general, Hydrocolloid functions as an absorbent, and provides the “wet tack” that enhances the ability of the adhesives to adhere to the skin and mucous membranes when they are moist. When the skin is dry, the tack may remain generally moderate.
In some embodiments, the hydrophilic component preferably has a low level of extractability from the adhesive and is not readily extracted from the adhesive by the moisture. Examples include Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC), PEG 3400, D-Mannitol, Pectin, and Gelatin.
In some embodiments, the following materials were used:
In one embodiment, 50 grams of MG 7-9900 (part A) and 50 grams of MG 7-9900 (part B) were mixed together and blended for 90 seconds at 800 rpm in a mixer (Ross. MODEL LCI-t High Shear Mixer) to form a homogenous solution. The additives were then added, and the mixture was mixed again for 90 seconds at 2500 rpm. The solution was then coated at 125 micrometers onto a 25 micrometer polyurethane film. The coating was then heated to 90° C. for 3 minutes to facilitate the crosslinking of the silicone adhesive.
It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, upon reading this specification, that any of the embodiments and/or examples described herein or otherwise may be combined in any way to form additional embodiments that are all within the scope of the system 10 and/or the patch 12.
It is also understood that the system 10 and/or patch 12 may or may not include any and/or all of the aspects of any of the various embodiments described herein or otherwise.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand, upon reading this description, that embodiments hereof may provide different and/or other advantages, and that not all embodiments or implementations need have all advantages.
Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs”, and includes the case of only one ABC.
As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.
As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.”
In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way.
It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.
As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” or “approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.
It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/834,922, filed Apr. 16, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62834922 | Apr 2019 | US |
