Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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36864-497(ETC-188)
LID FOR WET/DRY VACUUM CLEANER WITH
INTEGRATED HOSE RETAINER
FIELD
[0001] The field of the disclosure relates
generally to vacuum cleaners and, more particularly, to
vacuum cleaner lids including an integrated hose
retainer.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Some vacuum appliances, in particular
vacuum cleaners, include lid-mounted motors that
facilitate the movement of air using a motor and an
impeller connected to the motor. Some vacuum cleaners
also include hoses to facilitate collection of debris or
liquids and hose storage systems to facilitate storage of
the hose. Typical hose storage systems include a
retention device configured to retain the hose within the
hose storage system. However, at least some known
retention devices loosely retain the hose within the hose
storage system because the retention device does not
exert a positive retention force on the hose.
[0003] Additionally, some hose storage
systems require assembly by the manufacturer or the
customer. Typically, the manufacturer or the customer
assembles the hose storage system by fastening the
retention device to a portion of the vacuum. However, the
fit of the hose within the retention device and/or the
hose storage system can vary based on manufacturing
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tolerances of the components and in the assembly process.
Also, some customer assembled hose storage systems
require the customer to install the retention device with
screws that fasten the retention device to the vacuum
cleaner. If the customer installs incorrectly, the screws
might puncture the vacuum cleaner. A more reliable and
more cost effective hose storage system is needed.
[0004] This section is intended to introduce
the reader to various aspects of art that may be related
to various aspects of the disclosure, which are described
and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be
helpful in providing the reader with background
information to facilitate a better understanding of the
various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly,
it should be understood that these statements are to be
read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one aspect, a vacuum cleaner
includes a canister, a vacuum hose, a motor, an impeller,
and a one piece lid. The canister defines a debris
chamber and has a top. The vacuum hose is fluidly
connected to the debris chamber and has a vacuum hose
diameter. The impeller is connected to the motor and is
operable to generate air flow upon operation of the
motor. The one piece lid includes a hose retainer and is
mounted to the top of the canister. The hose retainer
includes at least two retaining tabs spaced from a
central portion of the lid to define an insertion
opening. The retaining tabs deflect away from a retention
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position in a first direction to an open position when
the vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion
opening. The retaining tabs are biased in a second
direction towards the retention position such that the
retaining tabs exert a positive retention force on the
vacuum hose when positioned within the hose retainer.
[0006] In another aspect, a hose storage
system for storage of a vacuum hose for a vacuum cleaner
includes a hose retainer attached to a portion of the
vacuum cleaner. The hose retainer and the portion of the
vacuum cleaner are a one piece portion of the vacuum
cleaner. The hose retainer includes at least two
retaining tabs spaced from a central portion of the lid
to define an insertion opening. The retaining tabs
deflect away from a retention position in a first
direction to an open position when the vacuum hose is
inserted through the insertion opening. The retaining
tabs are biased in a second direction towards the
retention position such that the retaining tabs exert a
positive retention force on the vacuum hose when
positioned within the hose retainer.
[0007] In yet another aspect, a lid for a
vacuum cleaner includes attached to the lid. The hose
retainer and the lid are a one piece lid. The hose
retainer includes at least two retaining tabs spaced from
a central portion of the lid to define an insertion
opening. The retaining tabs deflect away from a retention
position in a first direction to an open position when a
vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening.
The retaining tabs are biased in a second direction
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towards the retention position such that the retaining
tabs exert a positive retention force on the vacuum hose
when positioned within the hose retainer.
[0008] Various refinements exist of the
features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects
of the present disclosure. Further features may also be
incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the
present disclosure as well. These refinements and
additional features may exist individually or in any
combination. For instance, various features discussed
below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments
of the present disclosure may be incorporated into any of
the above-described aspects of the present disclosure,
alone or in any combination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an
example vacuum cleaner.
[0010] Figure 2 is a perspective view of
vacuum cleaner of Figure 1, with a power head removed
from the vacuum cleaner.
[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a
lid suitable for use with the vacuum cleaner shown in
Figure 1.
[0012] Figure 4 is a top view of the lid of
shown in Figure 3.
[0013] Figure 5 is a side view of the lid
shown in Figure 3.
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[0014] Figure 6 is a side view of a portion
of the lid shown in Figure 3 showing a hose retainer.
[0015] Figure 7 is a top view of a portion
of the lid shown in Figure 3 showing the hose retainer.
[0016] Figure 8 is a side sectional view of
the hose retainer shown in Figure 6.
[0017] Figure 9 is a top sectional view of
the hose retainer shown in Figure 7.
[0018] Corresponding reference characters
indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an
example vacuum cleaner 100. In the illustrated
embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a collection
drum or canister 102 defining an inlet 104, caster feet
and casters 106 mounted on a bottom end 108 of the
canister 102, a lid 110 removably mounted to a top end
112 of the canister 102, and a power head 114 removably
mounted to a top end 116 of the lid 110. The lid 110 is
removably attached (e.g., via a hinge mechanism or
latches 118a and 118b) to the canister 102 so that the
lid 110 can be readily removed so as to empty debris or
liquids contained within the canister 102.
[0020] Figure 2 is a perspective view of
vacuum cleaner 100 with the power head 114 detached from
the lid 110. The power head 114 includes a housing 120
and a motor and a fan or impeller (collectively referred
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to as an impeller assembly, not shown) located within the
housing 120. The impeller assembly is operable to
generate airflow through the canister 102 from the inlet
104 to an outlet (not shown) so as to draw solid debris,
liquid, or both into a debris chamber (not shown) defined
by the canister 102. In the example embodiment, the inlet
104 is defined by the canister 102, and the outlet is
defined by the power head 114. In other embodiments, the
inlet 104 and the outlet may be defined by any suitable
portion of the vacuum cleaner 100 that enables the vacuum
cleaner 100 to function as described herein. In some
embodiments, for example, the inlet 104 may be defined by
the power head 114.
[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the
power head 114 is detachable from the lid 110 and the
vacuum cleaner 100 to facilitate use of the power head
114 apart from the vacuum cleaner 100. For example, the
power head 114 may be detached from the vacuum cleaner
100 and used as a blower or other suction unit. In
alternative embodiments, the power head 114 may not be
detachable from the lid 110 or the vacuum cleaner 100.
Rather, the power head 114 may be integrally formed with
the lid 110 and/or the vacuum cleaner 100.
[0022] Although the vacuum cleaner 100 is
shown and described with reference to a wet/dry vacuum
cleaner, the vacuum cleaner 100 and features thereof may
be embodied in vacuum cleaners other than wet/dry vacuum
cleaners including, for example and without limitation,
canister vacuum cleaners, backpack vacuum cleaners, and
upright vacuum cleaners.
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[0023] The vacuum cleaner 100 includes a
vacuum cleaner hose 122 and a plurality of vacuum cleaner
accessories 124. As used herein, the term "vacuum cleaner
hose" or "hose" refers to a component of a vacuum cleaner
that is connected, directly or indirectly, to a vacuum
cleaner inlet port or outlet port to direct airflow or
suction generated by the vacuum cleaner. Examples of
vacuum cleaner hoses and accessories may include, for
example and without limitation, vacuum hoses, vacuum
conduits, vacuum wands or tubes, and surface cleaning
tools. In the illustrated embodiment, a proximal end 126
of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 is extends from the inlet
104 and permits fluid communication between a surface to
be cleaned and the vacuum cleaner 100. Additionally, one
or more vacuum cleaner accessories 124 may extend from a
distal end 128 of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 and permit
fluid communication between the surface to be cleaned and
the vacuum cleaner hose 122 and/or the vacuum cleaner
100. The vacuum cleaner hose 122 includes a hose diameter
130. In the illustrated embodiment, the hose diameter 130
is about 2.392 inches to about 2.408 inches. In
alternative embodiments, the hose diameter 130 may be any
length that enables the vacuum cleaner 100 to operate as
described herein.
[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the vacuum
cleaner 100 includes a hose storage system 131.
Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the lid 110
includes at least one hose retainer 132 to facilitate
retention and storage of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when
the vacuum cleaner 100 is not in use. The hose retainer
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132 is integrally formed with the lid 110 and is
positioned on the lid 110 such that the vacuum cleaner
hose 122 is wound around the power head 114 when in a
stored configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the
hose retainer 132 is positioned on an outer circumference
134 of the lid 110 such that the hose retainer 132 exerts
an inward positive retention force on the vacuum cleaner
hose 122 that maintains the vacuum cleaner hose 122 in a
stored configuration. In alternative embodiments, the
hose storage system 131 and the hose retainer 132 may be
positioned on other parts of the vacuum cleaner 100,
including and without limitation, the canister 102 and/or
the power head 114. The hose storage system 131 and the
hose retainer 132 may be positioned on any part of the
vacuum cleaner 100 that enables the vacuum cleaner 100 to
store the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when it is not in use.
Additionally, the hose storage system 131 and the hose
retainer 132 and features thereof may be embodied in
vacuum cleaners other than wet/dry vacuum cleaners
including, for example and without limitation, canister
vacuum cleaners, backpack vacuum cleaners, and upright
vacuum cleaners. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid
110 and the hose storage system 131 include a single hose
retainer 132. In alternative embodiments, the lid 110
and/or the hose storage system 131 include any number of
hose retainers 132 that enable the vacuum cleaner 100 to
operate as described herein, including and without
limitation, two, three, four, or more hose retainers 132.
[0025] Figure 3 is
a perspective view of the
lid 110. Figure 4 is a top view of the lid 110. Figure 5
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is a side view of the lid 110. As shown in Figures 3-5,
the lid 110 has a substantially circular, disc shape with
the hinge mechanisms or latches 118a and 118b positioned
on opposite sides of the lid 110. The lid 110 also
includes an integrally formed power head receiver 136 to
facilitate receipt of the power head 114 onto the lid
110. The power head receiver 136 includes a power head
retention device 138, a power head pin retainer 140, a
power head chamber 142, a suction hole 144, and a power
head platform 146. In the illustrated embodiment, the
power head platform 146 is a generally circular or oval
shaped platform configured to support the power head 114
when it is inserted into the power head receiver 136. The
power head platform 146 circumscribes the power head
chamber 142. The power head chamber 142 is configured to
receive at least a portion of the power head 114 and
defines the suction hole 144 in a bottom portion 148 of
the power head chamber 142. The suction hole 144 permits
fluid communication between the power head 114 and the
canister 102 and the inlet 104. The power head chamber
142 and the power head platform 146 form a seal around
the power head 114 such that the power head 114 generates
a suction force within the canister 102, the inlet 104,
and the vacuum cleaner hose 122.
[0026] The power head retention device 138
and the power head pin retainer 140 extend from the power
head platform 146 and are positioned on opposite sides of
the power head platform 146. In the illustrated
embodiment, the power head retention device 138 includes
a latch. In alternative embodiments, the power head
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retention device 138 includes any device that facilitates
retaining the power head 114 on the lid 110. The power
head pin retainer 140 includes two pin receiving holes
150 configured to receive and retain a plurality of pins
(not shown) on the power head 114. The power head 114
includes a latching pin (not shown) with a shape
complementary to the power head retention device 138. In
order to insert the power head 114 onto the lid 110, the
pins on the power head 114 are inserted into the pin
receiving holes 150 and the power head 114 is rotated
such that the latching pin on the power head 114 is
inserted into the power head pin retainer 140. The power
head pin retainer 140 is then latched onto the latching
pin on the power head 114, securing the power head 114 to
the lid 110.
[0027] An integrally formed lid disc 152
extends from the power head platform 146. The lid disc
152 includes an inner diameter 154 coupled to the power
head platform 146 and an outer diameter 156. The hinge
mechanisms or latches 118a and 118b and the hose retainer
132 are coupled to the outer diameter 156 and positioned
around the outer diameter 156. A hose retention track 158
is a generally circular track circumscribing the power
head platform 146 and configured to retain and store the
vacuum cleaner hose 122. The hose retention track 158
includes an inner track diameter 160 and an outer track
diameter 162. The inner track diameter 160 is defined by
the power head platform 146, the power head retention
device 138, and the power head pin retainer 140. The
outer track diameter 162 is defined by the hinge
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mechanisms or latches 118a and 118b, the hose retainer
132, and the outer diameter 156 of the lid disc 152. The
lid disc 152 supports the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when it
is stored in the hose retention track 158. As such, the
hose storage system 131 includes the hose retainer 132,
the power head pin retainer 140, the power head platform
146, the hinge mechanisms or latches 118a and 118b, and
lid disc 152, all of which facilitate storage and
retention of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when it is
stored in the hose storage system 131.
[0028] Figure 6 is a side view of the hose
retainer 132. Figure 7 is a top view of the hose retainer
132. As shown in Figures 6-7, the hose retainer 132 and
the power head pin retainer 140 define a hose retention
area 164 configured to receive and retain the vacuum
cleaner hose 122. Specifically, the power head pin
retainer 140 extends from the power head platform 146 and
the hose retainer 132 extends from the lid disc 152,
spaced from a central portion 165 of the lid 110, to form
the hose retention area 164. The hose retainer 132
includes at least one retaining tab support prong 166 and
at least two retaining tabs 168. The retaining tabs 168
and the power head pin retainer 140 define an insertion
opening 169 configured to receive the vacuum cleaner hose
122. In the illustrated embodiment, the hose retainer 132
includes three retaining tab support prongs 166 and two
retaining tabs 168. In alternative embodiments, the hose
retainer 132 may include any number of retaining tab
support prongs 166 and retaining tabs 168 that enable the
vacuum cleaner 100 to operate as described herein.
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[0029] The retaining tabs 168 and the retain
tab support prongs 166 are configured to exert a positive
retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when it
positioned within the hose retainer 132. Specifically,
the retaining tabs 168 are configured to deflect away
from a retention position to an open position upon
insertion of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 through the
insertion opening 169. The retention position is the
configuration shown in Figures 1-9. The retaining tabs
168 are biased towards the retention position such that
the retaining tabs 168 exert the positive retention force
on the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when is positioned within
the hose retainer 132. Specifically, the geometry of the
hose retainer 132 relative to the vacuum cleaner hose 122
enable the hose retainer 132 to exert the positive
retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122.
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the
retaining tab support prongs 166 extend from the lid disc
152 and the retaining tabs 168 extend from the retaining
tab support prongs 166. The retaining tab support prongs
166 are spaced apart from each other and define two prong
holes 170 therebetween. The prong holes 170 enable the
retaining tabs 168 to be molded and integrally formed
with the lid 110 during the manufacturing process.
Specifically, the prong holes 170 are positioned relative
to the retaining tabs 168 and the retaining tab support
prongs 166 such that the retaining tabs 168 may be
manufactured in an injection mold with a single direction
of motion. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining
tab support prongs 166 and the retaining tabs 168 have an
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arcuate or curved shape commentary to a cylindrical shape
of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 such that an overall shape
of the hose retainer 132 is complementary to the
cylindrical shape of the vacuum cleaner hose 122.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the
retaining tab support prongs 166 extend from the lid disc
152 in a direction 174 substantially parallel to a plane
of the lid disc 152. The retaining tabs 168 extend from
the retaining tab support prongs 166 in a direction 176
substantially perpendicular the plane of the lid disc
152. The retaining tabs 168 include a vertical portion
178 and a curved portion 180. The vertical portion 178
extends from the retaining tab support prongs 166 and the
curved portion 180 extends from the vertical portion 178.
[0032] Figure 8 is a side sectional view of
hose retainer 132 taken along sectional line 8-8. The
curved portion 180 is attached to the vertical portion
178 at a curved-vertical portion interface 182 and
extends to a curved portion tip 184. The curved portion
180 defines a curved portion radius 186, an insertion
angle 188, and a retaining angle 190. The curved portion
radius 186 is defined by the curvature of the curved
portion 180 with a center 192 positioned within the hose
retention area 164. The retaining angle 190 is the angle
between the curved portion radius 186 at the curved-
vertical portion interface 182 and the curved portion
radius 186 at the curved portion tip 184. The insertion
angle 188 is the angle between the curved portion radius
186 at the curved portion tip 184 and a horizontal line
194 extending from the curved portion tip 184 toward the
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power head pin retainer 140 and parallel to the curved
portion radius 186 at the curved-vertical portion
interface 182. The hose retention area 164 defines an
insertion width 196 between the curved portion tip 184
and a retention portion 198 of the power head pin
retainer 140.
[0033] During operations, vacuum cleaner
hose 122 is inserted into the hose retention area 164 for
storage. The insertion angle 188 allows the retaining
tabs 168 to flex outwards or in a direction 200 away from
the retention position to the open position during the
insertion process. The retaining tabs 168 are biased to
the retention position and return to the retention
position after the vacuum cleaner hose 122 is inserted
into the hose retention area 164. In the illustrated
embodiment, the insertion angle 188 is about 185 degrees
to about 195 degrees. More particularly, the insertion
angle 188 is about 190 degrees. If the insertion angle
188 is greater than 195 degrees or less than 185 degrees,
the retaining tabs 168 may collapse inwards during the
insertion process.
[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the
insertion width 196 is about 78% to about 82% of the hose
diameter 130. The insertion width 196 dictates how far
the retaining tabs 168 will flex in the direction 200
during the insertion process. If the insertion width 196
is less than about 78% of the hose diameter 130, the
retaining tabs 168 will be subjected to high stress that
can cause the retaining tabs 168 to deform or break
during the insertion process. If the insertion width 196
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is greater than about 82% of the hose diameter 130, the
retaining tabs 168 may not adequately retain the vacuum
cleaner hose 122 within the hose retention area 164.
[0035] During operations, vacuum cleaner
hose 122 is removed from the hose retention area 164 for
insertion into the inlet 104 and use to clean a surface
to be cleaned. The retaining angle 190 dictates the
extraction force required to remove the vacuum cleaner
hose 122 from the hose retention area 164. In the
illustrated embodiment, the retaining angle 190 is about
50 degrees to about 60 degrees. More particularly, the
retaining angle 190 is about 55 degrees. If the retaining
angle 190 is less than about 50 degrees, the retaining
tabs 168 may not adequately retain the vacuum cleaner
hose 122 within the hose retention area 164. If the
retaining angle 190 is greater than about 60 degrees, the
force necessary to extract the vacuum cleaner hose 122
from the hose retention area 164 may be too high such
that the vacuum cleaner 100 would need to be held in
place during the extraction process.
[0036] The curved portion radius 186 of this
embodiment is a radius between about 90% to about 95% of
a radius of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 (half of the hose
diameter 130). The retaining tabs 168 exert a constant
compression force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when the
vacuum cleaner hose 122 is stored in the hose retention
area 164 because the curved portion radius 186 is smaller
than the radius of the vacuum cleaner hose 122.
Accordingly, the constant compression force enhances the
retention capability of the hose retainer 132.
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[0037] Figure 9 is a top sectional view of
the hose retainer 132 taken along sectional line 9-9.
Each retaining tab 168 includes an outcrop 202 extending
along the retaining tab 168. The outcrop 202 includes two
ribs 204 and an outcrop connector 206 extending
therebetween. The ribs 204 extend from the retaining tab
168 away from the power head pin retainer 140 such that a
rib thickness 208 is double a thickness 210 of the
retaining tab 168. The thicker ribs 204 add structural
support to the retaining tab 168 and increases the
retention force applied to the vacuum cleaner hose 122.
[0038] The hose retainers 132 described
herein create a positive retention force on the vacuum
cleaner hose 122. Specifically, the retaining angle 190
causes the retaining tabs 168 to extend over the hose
retention area 164 creating a positive retention of the
vacuum cleaner hose 122. Additionally, the curved portion
radius 186 is smaller than the radius of the vacuum
cleaner hose 122 exerting a constant compression force on
the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when the vacuum cleaner hose
122 is stored in the hose retention area 164. As such,
the vacuum cleaner hose 122 is retained in the hose
retention area 164 by a combination of the constant
compression force and the positive retention force on the
vacuum cleaner hose 122. Additionally, the insertion
angle 188 and the insertion width 196 are configured to
allow the vacuum cleaner hose 122 to be inserted into the
hose retention area 164 without excessive stress and
strain to the retaining tabs 168. The ribs 204 provide
structural support to the retaining tab 168 and increases
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the retention force applied to the vacuum cleaner hose
122.
[0039] Example embodiments of vacuum
cleaning systems are described above in detail. The
vacuum cleaning systems are not limited to the specific
embodiments described herein, but rather, components of
the vacuum cleaning systems may be used independently and
separately from other components described herein. For
example, the hose retainer described herein may be used
with a variety of vacuum cleaning systems, including and
without limitation, vehicular vacuum cleaning systems,
wet/dry vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners,
upright vacuum cleaners, and backpack vacuum cleaners.
[0040] Embodiments disclosed enable
enhanced vacuum cleaner performance without requiring
significant or expensive modifications to other
components of a vacuum cleaner. Thus, the disclosed
hose retainer may be readily incorporated into existing
vacuum cleaner designs. The hose retainers described
herein create a positive retention force on the vacuum
cleaner hose. Specifically, a retaining angle causes
retaining tabs of the hose retainer to extend over a hose
retention area creating a positive retention force on the
vacuum cleaner hose. Additionally, a curved portion
radius of a curved portion of the retaining tabs is
smaller than a radius of the vacuum cleaner hose,
exerting a constant compression force on the vacuum
cleaner hose when the vacuum cleaner hose is stored in
the hose retention area. As such, the vacuum cleaner hose
is retained in the hose retention area by a combination
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of the constant compression force and the positive
retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose. Additionally,
an insertion angle and an insertion width are configured
to allow the vacuum cleaner hose to be inserted into the
hose retention area without excessive stress and strain
to the retaining tabs. The ribs formed within the
retaining tabs provide structural support and increase
the retention force applied to the vacuum cleaner hose.
[0041] As used herein, the terms "about,"
"substantially," "essentially" and "approximately" when
used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions,
concentrations, temperatures or other physical or
chemical properties or characteristics is meant to cover
variations that may exist in the upper and/or lower
limits of the ranges of the properties or
characteristics, including, for example, variations
resulting from rounding, measurement methodology or other
statistical variation.
[0042] When introducing elements of the
present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the
articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean
that there are one or more of the elements. The terms
"comprising," "including," "containing" and "having" are
intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be
additional elements other than the listed elements. The
use of terms indicating a particular orientation (e.g.,
"top", "bottom", "side", etc.) is for convenience of
description and does not require any particular
orientation of the item described.
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[0043] As various changes could be made in
the above constructions and methods without departing
from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all
matter contained in the above description and shown in
the accompanying drawing[s] shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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