FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to surface cleaning devices, in particular to water or steam cleaning apparatuses and/or accessories for vacuum cleaners.
BACKGROUND
Surface treatment apparatuses can be configured to clean one or more surfaces (e.g., a floor). Surface treatment apparatuses may include, for example, a vacuum cleaner, a mop, a water or steam cleaning apparatus, a powered broom, and/or any other surface treatment apparatus. A water or steam cleaning apparatus can include a clean water tank, a steam generator, a dirty water tank, a brushroll, and a handle for maneuvering the pad along a surface to be cleaned.
SUMMARY
Provided are nozzle assemblies for cleaning apparatuses such as vacuum cleaners or water or steam cleaning apparatuses.
In some aspects, a nozzle assembly for a cleaning apparatus includes a brushroll, a motor disposed within the brushroll and configured to rotate the brushroll, a debris receptacle including a debris inlet, a scraper disposed above the debris inlet such that the scraper projects into the brushroll, and a ramp formed on the scraper and extending between an outer edge of the scraper above the debris inlet and into an interior region of the debris receptacle. The ramp can include a runoff surface configured to direct debris and liquid removed from the brushroll by the scraper as the brushroll rotates into the debris receptacle at a negative angle relative to a surface being cleaned. The negative angle relative to the surface being cleaned can be between about 0 degrees and about −90 degrees. A separation distance between the runoff surface of the ramp and a bottom surface of the interior region of the debris receptacle may decrease in a direction away from the debris inlet and toward the interior region of the debris receptacle. In some embodiments, the scraper is molded from a plastic material; in other embodiments, the scraper is formed from a metal.
In some aspects, a nozzle assembly for a cleaning apparatus includes a brushroll, a motor disposed within the brushroll and configured to rotate the brushroll, a debris receptacle for receiving debris collected by the brushroll as the brushroll rotates, and a squeegee assembly disposed across a full width of the nozzle assembly. The squeegee assembly can include a first end disposed in contact with debris receptacle and a second end configured to contact a surface being cleaned. A leading edge of the squeegee assembly can be disposed at the second end and coupled to a lower half of the squeegee assembly that is configured to flex. The leading edge may contact the surface being cleaned during a forward movement of the nozzle assembly and to lift from the surface being cleaned during a backward movement of the nozzle assembly. The squeegee assembly may contact the brushroll when the cleaning apparatus is in use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference should be made to the following detailed description which should be read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like numerals represent like parts.
FIG. 1A shows a schematic example of a water or steam cleaning apparatus, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a nozzle assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2A shows a top view of a nozzle assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a squeegee assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of a squeegee assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus during a front stroke, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2D shows a perspective view of a squeegee assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus during a back stroke, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2E shows a cross-sectional view of a nozzle assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, showing the interface between a brushroll and a squeegee, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a nozzle assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, showing the interface between a brushroll and a scraper on a dirty water tank, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a nozzle assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, showing a negative angle ramp on the dirty water tank, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a nozzle assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus with the dirty water tank removed, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a nozzle assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, showing a handle for removing the dirty water tank, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7A shows a cross-sectional view of a dirty water tank for a water or steam cleaning apparatus in the closed position, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional view of a dirty water tank for a water or steam cleaning apparatus in the open position for emptying, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of the nozzle assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, with a retention latch for the brushroll opened, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of the nozzle assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, with the brushroll partially removed, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 8C shows a perspective view of the nozzle assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, with the brushroll completely removed, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a nozzle assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, showing the scraper attached to the dirty water tank, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of a dirty water tank for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, with baffles to reduce water sloshing, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 10B shows a perspective view of a dirty water tank for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, with corner guards to reduce water sloshing, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 10C shows a perspective view of a dirty water tank for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, with wave breakers to reduce water sloshing, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a nozzle assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, showing a non-return system attached to the dirty water tank, to prevent debris falling out during emptying, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of a brushroll core with ribs for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of a brushroll core with an outer layer of microfiber material for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a hand-held vacuum cleaner coupled to a nozzle assembly via a wand, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the nozzle assembly of FIG. 13, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 15 shows another perspective view of the nozzle assembly of FIG. 13, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the hand-held vacuum cleaner and wand of FIG. 13, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The examples described herein may be capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it may be appreciated that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting as such may be understood by one of skill in the art. Throughout the present description, like reference characters may indicate like structure throughout the several views, and such structure need not be separately discussed. Furthermore, any particular feature(s) of a particular exemplary embodiment may be equally applied to any other exemplary embodiment(s) of this specification as suitable. In other words, features between the various exemplary embodiments described herein are interchangeable, and not exclusive.
The present disclosure is generally directed to a surface treatment apparatus (e.g., a water or steam cleaning apparatus). One example of a water or steam cleaning apparatus may include a wand having a handle pivotably coupled to a cleaning assembly and a nozzle assembly. In some embodiments, the cleaning assembly includes a liquid reservoir and a pump to urge liquid from the liquid reservoir into either a spray nozzle (for a water cleaning apparatus) or into a steam generator (for a steam cleaning apparatus).
In some embodiments, the nozzle assembly includes a dirty water tank to collect debris and liquids from a surface to be cleaned, a debris ramp to urge the debris and liquids from the surface to be cleaned into the dirty water tank, a brushroll configured to engage with the surface to be cleaned, a motor disposed within the brushroll, and a spray nozzle (e.g., for the water cleaning apparatus) and/or steam manifold (e.g., for the steam cleaning apparatus). The dirty water tank further includes a scraper disposed above a debris inlet slot on the dirty water tank. The scraper is in contact with the brushroll and is configured to urge debris and liquids from the brushroll into the dirty water tank.
FIG. 1A shows a schematic example of a water or steam cleaning apparatus 100, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. The example of FIG. 1A includes nozzle assembly 102, wand 104 and cleaning assembly 106 resting on surface to be cleaned 200. Nozzle assembly 102 also includes brushroll 150 and dirty water tank 160. FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the nozzle assembly 102 for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2A shows a top view of the nozzle assembly 102 for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. Nozzle assembly 102 includes squeegee assembly 110. In some embodiments, squeegee assembly 110 extends across the full width of the nozzle assembly 102.
FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the squeegee assembly 110 for the water or steam cleaning apparatus, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2B, squeegee assembly 110 includes a flexible part 112, a rigid frame 114, and a leading edge 116.
FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of a squeegee assembly for a water or steam cleaning apparatus during forward movement, or a front stroke, and FIG. 2D shows a perspective view of the squeegee assembly during backward movement, or a back stroke, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. The squeegee assembly 110 forms a ramp that may improve cleaning performance. As shown in FIG. 2C, on forwards strokes the squeegee remains on the floor, to enable leading edge 116 to urge debris, e.g., sand 118, onto brushroll 150. As shown in FIG. 2D, however, on backwards strokes the squeegee lifts to allow debris, e.g., sand 118, to pass under the leading edge 116 through to brushroll 150. Traditional squeegee materials are very ‘sticky’ and can crease when in use due to high friction. A low friction underside may address this issue.
To accomplish this, squeegee assembly 110 includes flexible part 112, which further comprises top half 120 and lower half 122, along with leading edge 116. Top half 120 is coupled with rigid frame 114, while lower half 122 is free to flex in operation. Leading edge 116 is disposed at a front edge of lower half 122 and configured to contact the surface to be cleaned 200 during forward movement. Since lower half 122 is not coupled to rigid frame 114 and given the low friction material used to construct leading edge 116, during backward movement the lower half 122 may flex, causing the leading edge 116 to raise off the surface to be cleaned 200, allowing the debris, e.g., sand 118, to pass underneath leading edge 116 to engage with brushroll 150.
In some embodiments, flexible part 112 may be constructed of any flexible material, such as silicone or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). In some embodiments, the leading edge 116 may be constructed of polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”, one commercial example of which is Teflon branded PTFE, which is marketed by The Chemours Company) or woven nylon.
FIG. 2E shows a cross-sectional view of the nozzle assembly 102 for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, showing the interface between the brushroll 150 and the squeegee assembly 110, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. Brushroll 150 includes core 156 and microfiber material 151. Efficient cleaning may be encouraged when the tip of the leading edge 116 of the squeegee assembly 110 is in contact with the microfiber material 151 and/or when the microfiber material is in contact with the lower half 122 of the squeegee assembly 110, to urge the debris and liquid into the debris inlet slot 153 on the dirty water tank 160.
It may be desirable to allow larger debris to be removed during operation of brushroll 150. To allow for larger debris to be collected by the water or steam cleaning apparatus, a gap exists between the core 156 and the outer edge of the microfiber material 151. In some embodiments, this gap, W1, may be, for example, in the range of about 10 millimeters (mm) to 14 mm. By way of further example, the gap W1 may be in a range of about 8 mm to 12 mm.
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the nozzle assembly 102 for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, showing the interface between the brushroll 150 and a scraper 162 on the dirty water tank 160, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, and discussed further below, the dirty water tank 160 is removable to allow a user to empty debris and liquid from the dirty water tank after use. As also shown in FIG. 3, the scraper 162 can be disposed on the dirty water tank 160 directly above the debris inlet slot 153. The scraper 162 is configured to project into the microfiber material 151 of brushroll 150 to urge debris and liquids from the brushroll 150 into the dirty water tank 160 via the debris inlet slot 153.
The scraper 162 may be constructed of a hard material. For example, in some embodiments, the scraper 162 may be molded from a material such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) or polypropylene. By way of further example, in some embodiments, the scraper 162 may be formed from a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum.
FIG. 3 also includes steam manifold 154A, for a steam cleaning apparatus, or spray nozzle 154B, for a water cleaning apparatus, as well as the debris ramp 170 formed by the squeegee assembly 110. As also shown, the brushroll 150 may include a brushroll motor 173 configured to cause the brushroll 150 to rotate. As such, the brushroll 150 may generally be described as being a motor in roll design.
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the nozzle assembly 102 for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, showing a negative angle ramp 164 on the dirty water tank 160, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. It may be desirable to urge the debris and liquid from the brushroll 150 into the dirty water tank 160, and away from the brushroll 150. Therefore, the ramp 164 is disposed from the outer edge of scraper 162 inward through the debris inlet slot 153 to urge debris and liquid into the dirty water tank 160 at a negative angle relative to the surface to be cleaned. For example, the ramp 164 can have a runoff surface 165, wherein a separation distance 167 between the runoff surface 165 and a bottom surface 169 of the dirty water tank 160 decreases with increasing distance from a rotation axis 171 of the brushroll 150 in a direction away from the debris inlet slot 153. As shown in FIG. 4, the ramp 164 is disposed at an angle θ relative to the surface to be cleaned, where θ may be in the range of about 0 degrees to negative 90 degrees. For example, the ramp 164 can be disposed at about −5 degrees, −10 degrees, −15 degrees, −20 degrees, −25 degrees, −30 degrees, −35 degrees, −40 degrees, −45 degrees, −50 degrees, −55 degrees, −60 degrees, −65 degrees, −70 degrees, −75 degrees, −80 degrees, or −85 degrees relative to the surface to be cleaned.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the nozzle assembly 102 for a water or steam cleaning apparatus with the dirty water tank 160 removed, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. It may be desirable to keep the dirty water tank 160 as simple as possible since it needs to be cleaned regularly. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the release button 132 for the dirty water tank 160 is located on the body of the nozzle assembly 102. When the release button 132 is pressed, pivoting retention component 130 is unlatched, and the dirty water tank 160 pivots upwards to present itself to the user. The latching of the dirty water tank 160 may be configured to retain the scraper 162 in place (e.g., relative to the brushroll 150 when the dirty water tank 160 is coupled with the nozzle assembly 102).
Since the dirty water tank 160 may be removed and emptied frequently, it may be desirable to make removal of the dirty water tank 160 as easy as possible. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments the dirty water tank 160 may include handle 134.
FIG. 7A shows a cross-sectional view of the dirty water tank 160 in the closed position, and FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional view in the open position for emptying, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7A, the dirty water tank 160 further comprises a first part and a second part, the second part pivotally attached to the first part to allow for emptying the dirty water tank. This may allow for ‘one touch’ emptying of the dirty water tank 160.
To empty the dirty water tank 160, the user can remove the dirty water tank 160 from the nozzle assembly 102 to reveal and access the empty button 168 for the dirty water tank 160. When the empty button 168 is pressed, the clam shell dirty water tank 160 opens through approximately 90 degrees. The clam shell dirty water tank 160 may be biased (e.g., using a spring) towards the open position. This action flings the debris and liquid out of the dirty water tank 160. This action also makes cleaning of the dirty water tank 160 easier as all dirty surfaces are easy to access. There is a seal on the rear edge 162B to prevent liquid from dripping out of dirty water tank 160 during transport for emptying.
FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate a procedure for removing the brushroll 150 for cleaning or other service. In FIG. 8A, brushroll lever 152 has been opened by pulling brushroll lever 152 from retainer 155. In FIG. 8B, the brushroll 150 has been partially removed from the nozzle assembly 102. Finally, in FIG. 8C, the brushroll 150 has been completely removed from the nozzle assembly 102.
For case of maintenance, it may be desirable to have the squeegee assembly 110 attached to the dirty water tank 160. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the debris ramp 170 is attached to the dirty water tank 160.
During operation, liquid collected in the dirty water tank 160 may tend to slosh around, resulting in liquid spilling out of the dirty water tank 160. To reduce the impact of liquid sloshing in the dirty water tank 160, one or more structures may be incorporated into the dirty water tank 160 to reduce or prevent sloshing during use. FIGS. 10A-10C show examples of structures that may be incorporated into the dirty water tank 160 to prevent or reduce sloshing.
FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of the dirty water tank 160 with one or more baffles 172 disposed along an interior of the second part of the dirty water tank to reduce water sloshing, FIG. 10B shows a perspective view of the dirty water tank 160 with corner guards 174 disposed at each end of the second part of the dirty water tank to reduce water sloshing, and FIG. 10C shows a perspective view of the dirty water tank 160 with one or more wave breakers 176 disposed along the interior of the second part of the dirty water tank to reduce water sloshing.
FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the nozzle assembly 102 for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, showing a non-return system attached to the dirty water tank 160 that is configured to prevent debris falling out when removing the dirty water tank 160, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 11, the non-return system includes a spring-loaded door 166 that is disposed in the dirty water tank 160 and configured to completely cover the debris inlet slot 153 on the dirty water tank 160, and to close automatically when the dirty water tank 160 is removed from the nozzle assembly 102.
FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of the brushroll core 156, where the brushroll further comprises one or more ribs configured to cause the nozzle assembly 102 to vibrate during use to cause fine debris to travel underneath the squeegee assembly during backward movement to improve cleaning.
FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of the brushroll core 156 with an outer layer of microfiber material 151 for a water or steam cleaning apparatus, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, the microfiber material 151 may incorporate bristles in addition to the microfiber material 151. In some embodiments, the bristles may be randomly distributed, while in other embodiments the bristles may be arranged in a pattern. In yet other embodiments, the microfiber material 151 may include flaps in addition to the microfiber material 151. In some embodiments, the microfiber material 151 may include microfiber composed of multiple materials.
FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300 coupled to a nozzle assembly 1302 (e.g., the nozzle assembly 102 of FIG. 1) via a wand 1304. The hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300 includes a suction motor 1306, a power supply 1308, a dust cup 1310, and an inlet 1312. A first end 1314 of the wand 1304 is configured to selectively couple to the inlet 1312 and a second end 1316 of the wand 1304 to selectively couple to the nozzle assembly 1302, the first end 1314 being opposite the second end 1316 along a longitudinal axis 1318 of the wand 1304. The wand 1304 is further configured to electrically couple the power supply 1308 to the nozzle assembly 1302 such that one or more electrical components of the nozzle assembly 1302 may be powered by the power supply 1308. The suction motor 1306 is fluidly coupled to the dust cup 1310, the inlet 1312, and the wand 1304. However, the suction motor 1306 may not be fluidly coupled to the nozzle assembly 1302 (e.g., suction is not generated within the nozzle assembly 1302). Additionally, or alternatively, the suction motor 1306 may be disabled when the nozzle assembly 1302 is electrically coupled with the power supply 1308.
FIGS. 14 and 15 show a perspective view of the nozzle assembly 1302. As shown, the nozzle assembly 1302 includes a base 1400 for movement along a surface to be cleaned 1402 (e.g., a floor), a neck 1404 pivotally coupled to the base 1400, and a supply tank 1406. The base 1400 includes a brushroll 1408 configured to engage the surface to be cleaned 1402 and one or more of a spray nozzle 1410 for spraying liquid or steam on to the surface to be cleaned 1402 and/or a manifold 1412 (shown schematically in hidden lines) for distributing liquid or steam to the brushroll 1408 and/or the surface to be cleaned 1402. The base 1400 may further include a debris receptacle 1414 (e.g., the dirty water tank 160) configured to receive wet and/or dry debris. In some instances, the debris receptacle 1414 may be separated into a first compartment (e.g., a solid debris compartment) and a second compartment (e.g., a liquid compartment). In operation, the brushroll 1408 is configured to urge debris into the debris receptacle 1414 without the use of suction.
The supply tank 1406 is fluidly coupled to the spray nozzle 1410 and/or the manifold 1412. For example, a supply pump 1416 may be configured to urge liquid from the supply tank 1406 to the spray nozzle 1410 and/or the manifold 1412. When steam is generated, the supply pump 1416 may be configured to urge fluid through a steam generator 1418, wherein steam exiting the steam generator 1418 passes through to the spray nozzle 1410 and/or the manifold 1412. As shown, the supply tank 1406 is coupled (e.g., removably coupled) to the neck 1404. However, in some instances, the supply tank 1406 may be coupled to the base 1400.
The neck 1404 may include one or more neck electrical connectors 1500 for electrically coupling to the power supply 1308 such that the power supply 1308 may provide power to one or more components of the nozzle assembly 1302 (e.g., sensors, the supply pump 1416, and/or a drive motor of the brushroll 1408, such as the brushroll motor 173). In some instances, the one or more neck electrical connectors 1500 may be configured to communicatively couple the hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300 (e.g., a controller 1320 of the hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300) to one or more components of the nozzle assembly 1302 (e.g., sensors, the supply pump 1416, and/or a drive motor of the brushroll 1408, such as the brushroll motor 173).
The neck 1404 may further include a suction plug 1420 configured to be received within the second end 1316 of the wand 1304. In other words, the suction plug 1420 may be configured to obstruct (or block) a suction path extending within the wand 1304.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300 coupled with the wand 1304. As shown, the hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300 further includes a handle 1600 having an actuator 1602 (e.g., a tactile switch) configured to receive an input from a user. The function of the actuator 1602 may be based, at least in part, on whether the nozzle assembly 1302 is electrically coupled to the hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300. For example, when the nozzle assembly 1302 is electrically coupled to the hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300, the actuator 1602 may control the supply pump 1416 (e.g., to control a rate at which and/or an amount of liquid passing through the spray nozzle 1410 and/or the manifold 1412). By way of further example, when the nozzle assembly 1302 is not electrically coupled to the hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300, the actuator 1602 may control the suction motor 1306 (e.g., to control a quantity of suction generated). By way of still further example, when a secondary nozzle (e.g., a suction nozzle having a brushroll) is electrically coupled with the hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300, the actuator 1602 may control one or more cleaning features of the secondary nozzle (e.g., a brushroll speed and/or an illumination source). In these examples, the hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300 is configured to determine whether a cleaning accessory (e.g., the nozzle assembly 1302 or a secondary nozzle) is electrically coupled to the hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300, if a cleaning accessory is detected, the hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300 further determines what type of cleaning accessory is electrically coupled to the hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300, and adjusts a function of the actuator 1602 based, at least in part, on one or more of the determinations.
As also shown, the second end 1316 of the wand 1304 includes one or more wand electrical connectors 1604 configured to cooperate with the neck electrical connectors 1500. The wand electrical connectors 1604 are configured to be electrically and/or communicatively coupled with the hand-held vacuum cleaner 1300.
As used in this application and in the claims, a list of items joined by the term “and/or” can mean any combination of the listed items. For example, the phrase “A, B and/or C” can mean A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B and C. As used in this application and in the claims, a list of items joined by the term “at least one of” can mean any combination of the listed terms. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B or C” can mean A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B and C.
Unless otherwise stated, use of the word “substantially” may be construed to include a precise relationship, condition, arrangement, orientation, and/or other characteristic, and deviations thereof as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, to the extent that such deviations do not materially affect the disclosed methods and systems. Throughout the entirety of the present disclosure, use of the articles “a” and/or “an” and/or “the” to modify a noun may be understood to be used for convenience and to include one, or more than one, of the modified noun, unless otherwise specifically stated. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.
Patent Application
20250072676
