Toilet splash guard device

A urine splatter suppression device and related method are provided. The device can include a base that engages a rim of a toilet, an arm including a corresponding recess and/or projection that engages a base recess and/or a base projection so that the arm is removably supported by the base adjacent the rim, and a deflection plate is joined with the arm and angled between 60 degrees and 90 degrees inclusive relative to the arm and extending transversely inward toward the longitudinal axis of the toilet from the side rim of the toilet. Multiple fingers can extend upward from the deflection plate. The device can be configured so a stream of liquid impinging the plate and/or fingers from above the toilet is dissipated to impair splatter of the stream to an area outside the toilet. A related method of use also is provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to lavatory accessories, and more particularly to a splash guard device for use with a toilet.

Usage of a toilet by a male in a standing orientation typically creates issues with regard to the toilet and the surrounding area. For example, when most males urinate into a toilet, the stream of urine typically splatters water, in the bowl of the toilet, upward and out of the toilet. The stream of urine may also be misdirected and splash or splatter on the sides of the bowl, again upward and out of the toilet—or miss the bowl altogether. The resultant splattering leaves the toilet area in an unpleasant and unsanitary condition, requiring cleaning and odor abatement action by the user or others.

There are a variety of urine splash or splatter guards in the market. Some guards drape a fabric over the water in the bowl to reduce splatter. Other guards have an arm that clips to the front rim of the bowl and extends along the center of the bowl with a plate disposed in the center of the bowl. The plate includes fabric and is parallel to and about an inch over water in the bowl. While these and other conventional splatter guards attempt to reduce urine splatter, they suffer several shortcomings. For example, these guards typically deflect the stream in another direction or allow the stream to only partially pass through a fabric, rather than slowing the stream and directing it more usefully. These guards also are difficult to replace in a sanitary manner. Most require a user to touch the guard and remove it. Where the guard is older, there can be malodorous build up on the guard that is unpleasant to contact and/or clean. Further, many conventional guards are placed centrally in the toilet bowl, which can increase the likelihood of contact with the guard when a user is seated on the toilet.

Accordingly, there remains room for improvement in the field of splash suppression to better address the aforementioned issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A urine splatter suppression device is provided, including a base that engages a rim of a toilet, an arm including a corresponding recess and/or projection that engages a base recess and/or a base projection so that the arm is removably supported by the base adjacent the rim, and a deflection plate that is joined with the arm and angled downward relative to the arm and can extend inward from the side rim of the toilet. Multiple fingers can extend upward from the deflection plate. The device can be configured so a stream of liquid impinging the deflection plate and/or fingers from above the toilet is dissipated to impair splatter and/or splash of the stream.

In one embodiment, the base can be configured to be secured to a side rim of a toilet. The base can include an adhesive layer that engages the rim. On an opposite side of the rim, the base can include the projection, which can be a post having a head. The head can be of a larger dimension than the post so that the projection can engage a recess of the arm to suspend the device on the rim.

In another embodiment, the arm can include a rim portion and a bowl portion. The rim portion can include the corresponding recess and/or corresponding projection. The corresponding recess can be configured to receive a post of the base. Where included, the head of the post can engage a rim wall within which the recess is defined in the rim portion, so as to further secure the device to the base.

In still another embodiment, the deflection plate can face generally upward rather than toward the front rim of the toilet. The deflection plate can be suspended an inch or less, or several inches above a level of liquid, such as water, in the toilet. The deflection plate can be generally planar, and a lower planar surface can be angled relative to the water level, for example, at an angle of between 0 degrees and 80 degrees, inclusive, or between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, inclusive. Such angle can appropriately absorb the impact of an impinging liquid stream, and deflect the liquid into the bowl and its water efficiently.

In even another embodiment, the deflection plate can include an upper surface. The optional multiple fingers can extend upward from the upper surface. The fingers can be constructed from a resilient material and can taper down in dimension as each finger extends farther from the deflection plate. The fingers can further assist in absorbing the impact of the impinging liquid stream, dissipate the stream, and yet allow the resulting liquid to travel between adjacent fingers, downward and off a lower edge of the deflection plate.

In yet another embodiment, the fingers and/or the plate can include a fragrance or scent to address odor due to urine on the device or in the toilet. The fingers and/or plate also can include an antimicrobial agent to kill or reduce bacteria on the device in use.

In still another embodiment, the arm can include a transfer element, such as a first transfer projection and/or a first transfer recess. This transfer element can be engaged by a replacement urine splatter suppression device so a user can remove device already installed on the toilet rim with the replacement splatter suppression device in a second mode. As a result of this, a user can use a new device to engage and remove an old device, which may be soiled or coated with urine, without ever manually contacting the old device. The user can then discard the old device and place the new one in its place on the base. The second device can be substantially identical to the old device it replaces, so the removal and replacement and process can be repeated.

In still yet another embodiment, the transfer element can be the first transfer projection in the form of a post extending from the bowl portion of the arm. The post can include a head having a downward projecting flange that extends toward the deflection plate. The flange can also include a distal free end. With this asymmetric head, a user can place the head in a corresponding recess of a replacement device, and the head will temporarily lock in positon so the replacement device has a firm connection with the old device and can be used to remove the old device.

In a further embodiment, a method of use is provided including: providing a first splatter suppression device with a transfer post and/or transfer recess, and engaging the same with a second corresponding recess and/or projection of an identical second splatter suppression device to sanitarily remove the first splatter suppression device from the base without contacting the first splatter suppression device, and replacing the second splatter suppression device on the base, in the toilet.

In still a further embodiment, the method can include providing a base attached to a side rim of a toilet, the base including at least one of a base recess and a base projection; providing a first splatter suppression device including a first arm extending to a first distal end to which a first deflection plate having a first plurality of upright fingers extending away from the first deflection plate, the first arm including at least one of a first corresponding recess and a first corresponding projection that releasably engages the at least one of the base recess and the base projection to suspend the first splatter suppression device within the toilet adjacent the side rim, the first suppression device including at least one of a first transfer projection and a first transfer recess; engaging the at least one of a first transfer projection and a first transfer recess with a respective at least one of a second corresponding projection and a second corresponding recess of a second splatter suppression device including a second arm extending to a second distal end to which a second deflection plate having a second plurality of upright fingers extending away from the second deflection plate; and urging the first splatter suppression device in a direction so that the at least one of a first corresponding recess and a first corresponding projection disengages the at least one of the base recess and the base projection to remove the first splatter suppression device from the base and the toilet with the second splatter suppression device. With this method, a user of the second splatter suppression device need not directly, manually contact the first splatter suppression device when removing the first splatter suppression device from the toilet.

In still yet a further embodiment, the method can include disengaging the first splatter suppression device from the second splatter suppression device; and releasably engaging the at least one of a second corresponding recess and a second corresponding projection with the at least one of the base recess and the base projection to suspend the second splatter suppression device within the toilet adjacent the side rim. The second spatter suppression device can include at least one of a second transfer projection and a second transfer recess.

In even a further embodiment, the method can include orienting the second splatter suppression device so that the second plurality of fingers face downward toward a liquid in the toilet during the urging step; rotating the second splatter suppression device upward so that the second plurality of fingers face upward, away from the liquid; and mounting the second splatter suppression device on the base.

The current embodiments of the splatter suppression device and related method of use provide benefits in preventing or impairing splatter from urination by upright individuals that previously have been unachievable. For example, where the device and its components are designed to be placed on a side rim of the toilet, they do not get in the way of other seated use of the toilet, so the device need not be moved for such seated use. Where the device and the deflection plate are relatively low profile, extending optionally 1 to 4 inches, inclusive, or 2 to 3 inches, inclusive, from the side rim, the device further does not impair seated use of the toilet. Where included, the downward inclined angle of the deflection plate provides appropriate deflection of a liquid stream from above the toilet. The deflection plate can efficiently fragment the stream and direct the stream toward the underlying water in the toilet. Where the fingers are included, the fingers can further dissipate the impact of the liquid stream from above, and assist in channeling the liquid off the deflection plate at a lower end, or through holes defined by the plate and interspersed among the fingers. Where the device includes a transfer element, a replacement splatter suppression device can be used to engage and remove an already installed device without the user having to contact it. This can reduce anxiety for the user in performing the replacement task and improve sanitation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENTS

A current embodiment of the splash suppression device or splash guard is illustrated inFIGS. 1-5, and generally designated10. The splash suppression device10generally includes a base20, an arm30that removably attaches to the base20, and a deflection plate40as described below. The device10can be used in conjunction with a variety of lavatory and restroom structures, but is described here in connection with a toilet1. The toilet1as shown inFIG. 2can include a toilet pedestal2, a front rim3which is the forward most portion of the toilet, and first4and second5side rims, which lay across a longitudinal axis LA from one another. The toilet further includes a bowl7that typically has water W in it. The water typically forms a water level WL. The side rim4can include an interior rim surface41.

The device can be secured to the toilet, and in particular to a side rim. As shown inFIG. 5, the base20can be joined with and engage the interior surface41of the side rim4. The base can include an interior or first surface21that is configured to engage the side rim4, or5depending on placement on the side rims and the user's preference. The first surface21can include an adhesive layer21A applied to it so that the base can be adhered to the rim, for example the interior surface. The adhesive layer can be covered with a release liner before it is exposed and applied to the rim. Of course, in other constructions, the adhesive layer can be absent, and the base can include an arm or a clip that extends over the top4T of the rim and engages the exterior4E of the rim to secure the base to the rim. In other cases, the base can be adhered to the side interior and upper surface of the rim, or otherwise fastened with fasteners to the rim.

The base shown inFIGS. 5 and 8can include a plate23that forms the first surface. The plate23can have a second opposing surface22from which a projection24extends. The projection can be in the form of a post24including a shaft24S that terminates at a head24H. The shaft as shown can be elongated and of a plate like form, having a height greater than its thickness or width. Of course, other shafts can be used, of various cross sections such as cylindrical, rectangular, rounded or the like. The head24H optionally can be in the form of a plate that extends beyond the shaft a distance D1on all sides of the shaft. This distance can be optionally at least 1 mm, at least 2.5 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, or other distances. This plate structure can provide additional contact between the projection and the corresponding recess and arm30as described below. Further optionally, as shown, the upper edge of the plate can be rounded to facilitate insertion and interfacing with the arm and recess as also described below. The head24H also can include a width W1that is greater than a width W2of the recess35of the arm within which the projection fits when the arm is coupled to the base.

The device10as mentioned includes an arm. As shown inFIGS. 3-5, the arm30can be an upright standing element that is generally parallel to the interior surface41of the rim4when the device is fully installed. The arm30can include a rim portion31that generally faces toward the rim and a bowl portion32that generally faces outward from the rim4, toward the longitudinal axis LA. The rim portion31can include a rim wall31W having a rim wall exterior31WE and a rim wall interior31WI. The bowl portion32can include a bowl wall32W having a bowl wall exterior32WE facing toward the longitudinal axis of the toilet and a bowl wall interior32WI, facing toward the rim wall interior31WI.

As shown inFIG. 4, the bowl wall32B can be substantially larger than the rim wall31W, and only extending in the upper portion of the rim portion. The rim wall31W and bowl wall32W can be separated by a space or distance to form a catch cavity31C therebetween. The catch cavity31C can be open to a corresponding recess35of the arm. The recess35can be configured to receive the base projection24of the base. In particular, the rim wall31W can define the corresponding recess35, with a perimeter wall35P surrounding the recess. The recess35can be bounded by a recess apex35A and opposing recess sidewalls35S. The recess apex can be located above the recess sidewalls, which extend downward and away from the recess apex. The recess apex can be rounded or curvilinear as shown, or can be polygonal or angled depending on the application. The shape of the apex and sidewalls can correspond to the post and shaft24of the base projection, and can generally direct the post into the recess toward the apex when the device10is installed on the base under the force of gravity. The recess also can include a converging portion35C, which as shown inFIG. 4includes secondary walls that35SW that taper, angle or converge toward one another as they extend toward the sidewalls35S of the recess. These angled walls can function to guide the projection24into the narrower space between the sidewalls35S. The narrower space between the sidewalls can hold the post more tightly, so that the arm does not wobble much relative to the projection or base when installed. Of course, the angled walls can be eliminated in some applications. It also will be appreciated that the corresponding recess and base projection structures can be reversed, so the projection is on the rim portion and the recess is defined by the base. Even with this reversed structure, the device can still function similarly and can be installed and removed in a similar manner as the structure show. Also, it is noted that such base projection and base recess structures can be referred to as base attachment elements, and such corresponding projection and corresponding recess structures of the arm can be referred to as corresponding elements or corresponding arm elements herein.

When the arm is installed on the base, the head24H also can be disposed in the cavity31C. The head, as mentioned above can have a width W1greater than the width of the recess W1, for example, between sidewalls35S. The opening by the angled walls35SW however, can have a width W3which is greater than the head width W1so that the head24H can fit into the cavity31C. With this configuration, the head can be slid into the opening with the width W3, then be trapped in the cavity due to the narrower width W2of the recess between sidewalls35S. The head in this position can be blocked from removal from the recess via the head engaging the rim exterior wall31WE around the perimeter35P. When the arm is installed on the base, in an installed mode sometimes referred to as a first mode, the projection, in particular, the post24also can engage the recess apex35A. In the first mode, the post24also can engage one or more of the sidewalls35S or other parts of the perimeter35P. With the elongated height H1of the post24, the past also is less prone to rotate in the elongated recess, between the sidewalls35S. Of course, where the post is rounded or cylindrical, the arm and/or base can be outfitted with other features that impair rotation of the arm and deflection plate relative to the base.

With reference toFIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the arm can extend downward to a lower end to which the deflection plate40is joined. In some cases, the arm can include a support extension and/or secondary arms that extend under the plate to provide further support to that plate as shown. The deflection plate40can include an upper end40U and a lower end40L, with the plate angled downward from the upper end to the lower end. The deflection plate can include an upper surface41and an opposing a lower surface42. These surfaces can be generally planar as shown. The plate40itself can be of a rounded or circular aesthetic configuration, but of course can be of other shapes depending on the application. The secondary extension can attach to the lower surface, and can stop short of the lower end in some applications.

The deflection plate40can include a deflection plate reference plane DP parallel to and/or coincident with the lower surface42. Optionally, the deflection plate40can include a multitude of independent fingers50extending upward from the upper surface, generally away from the deflection plate reference plane DP. The fingers can each be optionally of a length greater than 1 mm, greater than 2 mm, greater than 3 mm, greater than 4 mm, greater than 5 mm, greater than 10 mm, or other lengths depending on the application. The individual fingers can be spaced from one another on the upper surface, and optionally can be connected to a common mat that can be joined with the upper surface. The fingers50can form a multitude of individual channels and passages50C therebetween, through which liquid can flow down the plate toward the lower end40L of the plate, off of which the liquid drips. Generally, the fingers are configured so that a stream of liquid impinging the fingers from above the toilet is dissipated by the fingers into a plurality of streams that drip from the deflection plate to impair splatter of the stream to an area outside the toilet.

Optionally, the fingers50as shown can be of a pointed, tapering configuration. As an individual finger50extends away from the upper surface41, it can reduce in dimension. For example, with a rounded finger, the diameter near the plate can be larger than the diameter of the same finger farther than the plate. Of course, the diameter or other dimension can be constant, or can vary in some other manner extending from the deflection plate.

In some applications, the fingers50can be constructed from a resilient material, such as silicone, rubber or polymers. The material can be scented and/or scent releasing to provide a particular scent to the device and the toilet in general. Optionally, the remainder of the splash suppression device and its various components can be constructed from a polymeric material, such as plastic, which can be relatively resistant to absorbing or retaining liquids and odors, and which is resistant to degradation and/or discoloration by urine. Returning to the fingers, those elements can be angled at some angle A3to the deflection plate reference plane DP. For example, the fingers can be angled at an angle A3relative to the plane DP that can be optionally between 80 degrees and 140 degrees, inclusive, between 90 degrees and 120 degrees, inclusive, or between 100 degrees and 150 degrees inclusive. Other angles are contemplated, as well as non-perpendicular angles.

Further optionally, the deflection plate40can define a plurality of plate holes48that extend from the upper surface to the lower surface. These plate holes can allow liquid impinging the plate and/or fingers to travel through the plate, through these holes. The plate holes shown are round or circular, but can take a variety of other geometric shapes.

The deflection plate40also can be in a particular orientation relative to the arm and the rim. Generally, the plate can extend outward away from the side rim toward the longitudinal axis LA of the toilet as shown inFIG. 2. Put another way, the deflection plate can extend transversely inward toward the longitudinal axis of the toilet from the side rim of the toilet. In this configuration, the deflection plate is distal from the longitudinal axis, and also located away from the front and rear rims of the toilet. The deflection plate40also can face substantially upward rather than toward the front rim of the toilet, with the upper surface facing upward. As shown inFIG. 5, the deflection plate40and its plane DP can be angled at an angle A1relative to the arm30, and in particular the arm reference plane AP, which can be formed by the bowl wall32W of the arm. This arm reference plane AP also can be substantially parallel to the side rim4, and optionally the interior rim surface41, in which case, the angle A1also can be formed between the deflection plate plane DP and that rim and/or rim surface. The angle A1can be optionally between 60 degrees and 90 degrees inclusive, between 60 degrees and 45 degrees inclusive, between 70 degrees and 30 degrees inclusive, or less than 90 degrees. These angles have been discovered to provide surprising results by reducing excessive splatter from a liquid stream impinging the deflection plate and fingers, and ultimately channeling well the fragmented stream into the water W below the deflection plate.

Optionally, the water W can have a water level WL in the toilet, laying in a substantially horizontal plane, as shown inFIG. 5. Incidentally, the water level WL inFIG. 5is shown for illustrative purposes, and can be farther or closer to the deflection plate depending on the particular type of toilet in use. In some cases, the water level may be less than one inch, an inch, or several inches below the deflection plate, farther than as shown. The deflection plate can be oriented at a fixed, immovable position above the water and relative to the rim when the device is installed. The deflection plate40and its plane DP also can be oriented at an angle A2relative to the water level. The angle A2can be optionally between 60 degrees and 90 degrees inclusive, between 60 degrees and 45 degrees inclusive, between 70 degrees and 30 degrees inclusive, or less than 90 degrees.

With reference toFIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the splatter suppression device10can include a corresponding transfer element60, which can be in the form of at least one of a first transfer projection and a first transfer recess configured to engage a replacement urine splatter suppression device so a user can remove the old device from the base. In particular, as shown the transfer element60can be in the form of a first transfer projection, or a first transfer recess in other applications. As shown, the transfer element in the form of a transfer projection can include a post64that extends from the bowl portion32, in particular the exterior of the bowl wall outward over the deflection plate and/or the fingers50. Optionally, the projection can include a ramp (not shown) extending up to it to enhance its strength and capture of a portion of a replacement device to assist in removing the one already installed on the base20. The projection can include a head65attached to the post64. The head optionally can include a downward projecting flange66that extends toward the deflection plate. This flange can be cantilevered, and can terminate at a distal free end66E. The flange, post and bowl wall can cooperatively form a capture recess64C, within which an apex of a recess of another device can be captured, so that a user can use the replacement device to exert a force on the old device and remove it from the base as described below.

A method of using the splatter suppression device, in particular, a method of replacing a unit, will be described with reference toFIGS. 5-8. In general, the method can include providing a base10attached to a side rim4of a toilet1, the base including a base attachment element20; providing a first splatter suppression device10including a first arm30extending to a first distal end to which a first deflection plate40having a first plurality of upright fingers50extending away from the first deflection plate40, the first arm including a first corresponding arm element35that releasably engages the base attachment element20to suspend the first splatter suppression device10within the toilet1adjacent the side rim4so the first deflection plate40is immovably fixed at an angle A1relative to a side rim4and/or its surface41of the toilet I. The first suppression device10can include a first transfer element60. The method can include providing a second splatter suppression device110, which has the same structures and features as the first splatter suppression device10, except optionally a base is not attached to the second device110, as shown inFIG. 6. As shown inFIG. 7, the method can include engaging the first transfer element60with a respective corresponding arm element135(FIG. 4) of a second splatter suppression device110including a second arm130extending to a second distal end to which a second deflection plate140having a second plurality of upright fingers150extending away from the second deflection plate. The method can include urging the first splatter suppression device10in a direction, optionally upward, but other directions are suitable depending on the construction, as shown inFIG. 8. Upon such movement, the first corresponding element35of the first splatter suppression device10disengages the base attachment element24and base20in general, to remove the first splatter suppression device10from the base and the toilet1with the second splatter suppression device110. In this manner, a user need not directly, manually contact the first splatter suppression device10when removing the first splatter suppression device from the toilet.

The method will be described with more particularity starting withFIGS. 4 and 6. The second device110as mentioned above, can have the same structure and features as the first device10. It can include the arm130and the bowl and rim portions, walls, rims etc., and in particular, the arm corresponding element, which as shown inFIG. 4is a corresponding recess135, but of course could just as well be a projection if the base includes a base recess. The recess135can have all the features of the recess35, and can be identical to the same.

As shown inFIG. 6, the second device can be turned upside down, so that the deflection plate140and optional fingers150face downward, toward the bowl and the water W in the bowl. The arm130can be moved toward the arm30of the first device10, with the objective of aligning the now upside down recess135with the transfer element60on the first device attached to the base20on the rim4. The user can continue to move the second device110toward the first device10so that the arms30and130are adjacent one another. The first transfer element60can enter the recess135. The head65and flange66of the first device (FIG. 5) can enter into a cavity of the second device, like the cavity31C of the first device10. The apex135A of the recess135or some other part of the arm can engage the post64upon moving the second device slightly upward. The arm130parts can enter into the cavity64C of the first device, until the corresponding arm element135sufficiently engages the first transfer element60as shown inFIG. 7.

Upon such engagement of the first device10with the second device110inFIG. 7, the user can exert an upward force F on the second device110, which is transferred to the first device10. As a result, the first device begins to move upward, and in so doing, the recess35and associated arm30of the first device10begin to disengage the base attachment element24. In effect, the recess35moves upward relative to the base post24. The base head24H exits the cavity31C upon further movement upward. Optionally, the second splatter suppression device is oriented so that the second fingers150and plate140face downward toward a liquid W in the toilet during the engagement step, and as the first device is urged to disengaged the base20.

When the base projection or element24no longer engages the first device10, the first device separates from the base20, being move upward and/or away from the base as shown inFIG. 8with the second device. During this movement and removal, the second device110can be the only thing contacting the first device10, which can be contaminated with urine or fecal matter in the toilet. Thus, the user need not contact the old, used first device to remove and replace it.

After the first device10is removed from its base20, the user can then use the second device110to transport the first device10to another location and discard it. To do so, the user can turn the second device and first device upside down so that the first device disengages and optionally falls off the second device, with the transfer element and corresponding arm element disengaging one another. After the first device is removed from the second device, the user can install the second device110on the base20. Optionally, before doing so, the user can rotate the second splatter suppression device110upward so that the second fingers150will face upward, away from the liquid W in the toilet when being installed on the base.

For installation, the user can move the second device in direction M shown inFIG. 5so that the base attachment element24engages the second corresponding arm element135, which can be a second corresponding recess and/or a second corresponding projection, to suspend the second splatter suppression device110, also referred to as a replacement splatter suppression device herein, within the toilet adjacent the side rim4. When the second device110is installed on the base10, the second deflection plate140can be immovably fixed at an angle between 60 degrees and 90 degrees inclusive relative to a side time surface of the toilet. Optionally, the second suppression device110can include a second transfer element160so that after it is used up or ready to be removed from the base20, another third splatter suppression device can be used to remove it, similar to the manner in which the first device was removed.

In some cases, the splatter suppression device herein can be packaged with multiple components. For example, a package can include more than one of the devices, for example a first device10, a second device110, and a third device, all of which can be identical. The package, however, can come with a single base, so that the devices can be replaced several times relative to that base. In other cases, several bases may be included with one or more devices. In yet other cases, one device and one base can be includes in a package, with the device not including any type of transfer element. It will be appreciated that even though one base may be used with multiple arms and deflection plates of the devices herein, the base and those components can still be considered a splatter suppression device.

In addition, when a component, part or layer is referred to as being “joined with,” “on,” “engaged with,” “adhered to,” “secured to,” or “coupled to” another component, part or layer, it may be directly joined with, on, engaged with, adhered to, secured to, or coupled to the other component, part or layer, or any number of intervening components, parts or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly joined with,” “directly on,” “directly engaged with,” “directly adhered to,” “directly secured to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between components, layers and parts should be interpreted in a like manner, such as “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent” and similar words. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.