Beverage Container With Cryogenic Additive Sequestration and Aeration

The present specification discloses an insert for a fluid product container that provides one or optionally both of a fluid aeration insert, that aerates the fluid product during the pour, and a cryogenic additive insert, that protects the fluid product container from exposure to the extreme low temperatures of a cryogenic additive, such as liquid nitrogen, that can cause damaging interaction with the container lining that exposes fluid product to the bare metal of the container, negatively affecting the flavor or safety of a beverage and/or causing structural damage to the container. The cryogenic additive insert provides a cryogenic additive tray having a cryogenic additive holding concavity that receives and hold a cryogenic additive during the filling process such that the cryogenic additive is isolated from the walls of the container. The fluid aeration insert includes a multiplicity of aeration openings through which the fluid product must flow during pouring.

BACKGROUND

The subject of this patent application relates generally to aeration and additive devices and methods, and more particularly to aeration devices for introducing oxygen into a fluid within a container and to devices for introducing additives for the displacement or removal of oxygen and/or pressurization of the container.

By way of background, some beverages, such as wine, whiskey, etc., are aerated (i.e., air containing oxygen is brought into contact with the beverage) for the purpose of reducing the bitterness caused by tannins, in for example young wines, by oxidizing and evaporating these undesirable and naturally occurring polyphenols. One of the primary methods of aerating wine is to pour the wine into a decanter to maximize liquid surface to air contact. Other methods include swirling the wine within a wine glass, pouring the wine back and forth between two containers, and even mixing the wine within a blender. These methods take time and require separate processes and/or equipment to achieve.

Further, in non-carbonated canning operations, such as the canning of beverages like wine, juices, teas, and the like, one or more additives are added directly to the container and the fluid product during (or adjacent in time to) filling. The additive changes state to a gas for the purpose of displacing oxygen and pressurizing the can to provide structural support of the can (such as a standard aluminum can or the like). An additive commonly added to beverage within the can during canning is a cryogenic additive, such as liquid nitrogen. However, additive materials or secondary materials may cause damage to the container, especially the inner wall, due to the extreme low temperatures of the material, the pH of the material, the temperature of the material, the abrasive nature of the material, and/or other deleterious qualities of the material.

In one example filling procedure, in canning operations, such as the canning of beverages (e.g., wine, juice, energy drinks, etc.), one or more additives (such as a cryogenic additive) are added directly to the liquid beverage during (or near in time to) filling. The cryogenic additive changes state to a gas (i.e., by evaporation if liquid or sublimation if solid) for the primary purposes of pressurizing the container and displacing the oxygen. Once the lid is sealed in place, the additive continues to boil or sublimate to a gas, resulting in pressurized gas being trapped within the container for maintaining the structure of the container (such as a standard aluminum can or the like) for transport, storage, and for purchasing by the consumer.

However, the cryogenic additive contributes to an undesirable flavor to the beverage due to interactions between the cryogenic additive and protective coating (e.g., a polymer lining) on the container walls, and, afterwards the beverage's interaction with the damage caused by the cryogenic additive. The damage to the integrity of the protective coating exposes the bare aluminum underneath and permits the beverage to interact with the aluminum for an extended period of time. An acidic beverage (e.g., with a pH between 3 and 4), such as wine or certain juices, the chemical reaction between the exposed aluminum and the beverage can impart a “tinny” and/or sulfur taste and odor to the beverage. Further, depending on the beverage, storage time, and other factors, the structural integrity of the can be degraded, causing failure of the can. Damage to the protective coat may also cause undesirable interactions between the contained fluid and the wall, even when containing non-acidic fluids.

Means for automatic aeration and for preventing adverse reactions between the container and the cryogenic additive are therefore needed.

Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY

The present specification discloses an insert for a container, the insert comprising a cryogenic additive tray having a cryogenic additive holding concavity configured to receive and substantially hold therein a cryogenic additive during the filling process such that the cryogenic additive is isolated from the inner wall of the container and is isolated from the fluid product after filling and with the container substantially upright and while the cryogenic additive is at the cryogenic temperature; wherein, during the filling process, the cryogenic additive is permitted to change state to a gas without substantially contacting the inner wall of the container while the cryogenic additive is at the cryogenic temperature.

FIG. 14a bottom perspective view of the fluid aeration insert ofFIG. 7.

The above-described drawing figures illustrate aspects of the present aeration container in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are further defined in detail in the following description. Features, elements, and aspects of the aeration container and components that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed descriptions set forth below in connection with the appended drawings are intended as a description of embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The descriptions set forth the structure and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent structures and steps may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The present specification discloses an insert for a fluid product container that provides one or optionally both of a fluid aeration insert, that aerates the fluid product during the pour, and a cryogenic additive insert, that protects the fluid product container from exposure to the extreme low temperatures of a cryogenic additive, such as liquid nitrogen, that can cause damaging interaction with the container lining that exposes fluid product to the bare metal of the container, negatively affecting the flavor or safety of a beverage and/or causing structural damage to the container. The cryogenic additive insert provides a cryogenic additive tray having a cryogenic additive holding concavity that receives and hold a cryogenic additive during the filling process such that the cryogenic additive is isolated from the walls of the container. The fluid aeration insert includes a multiplicity of aeration openings through which the fluid product must flow during pouring.

Referring first toFIGS. 1-6, an example embodiment of the present insert20(which may also be referred to herein as a container insert, a cryogenic additive isolation insert, a aeration insert, or an aeration and additive isolation insert, depending on the configuration of the insert20) is illustrated aligned with a container200for storing therein a fluid product F, such as a beverage. The container200is a standard aluminum can used for storing beverages, such as sodas, fruit or vegetable juices, wines, spirits, beer, and so on. The present insert20is positionable within the interior208of the container200, initially being held within the opening218of the container200due to flared upper edge32of the flange (or skirt)30resting supportively upon the rim206of the container200, positioning the cryogenic additive isolation portion22and the aeration portion24beneath the rim206of the container200, in one or more embodiments. The lid202is placed on top of the insert20and the container200, with the lid flange222resting on top of the upper edge32of the insert20and the insert20resting on top of the rim206.

The container200can be a standard aluminum can, such as a drink can, with no modification or at least some modification to accommodate the insert20, which is configured to be inserted into the container200opening218and, in at least one embodiment, supported by the rim206until further processing, such as a seaming operation which curls and compresses a double seam as discussed further below. The container200includes a container body204that defines an interior space210therein for containing a fluid product F. Below the rim206, the container body204includes an annular necked portion212which sizes the outwardly flared rim206to receive the upper perimeter edge32of the lid202. The lid202can be a standard aluminum can lid, with no modification or at least some modification to accommodate the insert20. The lid202includes a top wall216with a drink or dispensing opening218selectively pried open by a stay-on tab (not shown, but commonly known in industry) by applying pressure to the opening panel220(which will also be described herein as a tab or cantilevered tab) defined by a score line. Here, tab220is shown in the open position to illustrate the clearance provided by the depression36of the aeration portion24, as described further below. It is understood therefore, that the tab220will not be opened during the canning process, and will remain sealed until the end user pries it open.

Looking further at the structure of the insert20embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6, a sheet of material, such as thin aluminum, is stamped to form both the cryogenic additive isolation portion22and the aeration portion24, as well as the container engagement portion comprising the flange30that extends upwardly (i.e., extending towards the lid202when the lid202is placed upon the insert20and the container200) with the flared upper edge32. The stamping process can be achieved in one or more steps, to further form the cryogenic additive holding concavity28and the depression36.

The depression36is shaped, somewhat, like a half hemisphere that creates two opposing walls38and40, where one or both walls of the depression36includes a plurality or a multiplicity of aeration openings34. The shape of the depression36can be changed according to the design requirements, so long as at least a portion of the fluid product F flows through the multiplicity of aeration openings34when pouring the fluid product F. The multiplicity of aeration openings34ca be formed before or after the depression36is formed, by using known perforating techniques, such as laser perforating, die and punch perforating, etc. In one or more embodiments, the depth of the depression36can be sufficient to submerge at least the bottom surface42of the depression36within the fluid product F, or sufficient to submerge at least some of the multiplicity of aeration openings34within the fluid product F, when assembled, filled, and upright. Alternatively, the depression36can be made sufficiently shallow to avoid submersion of one or both of at least some of the multiplicity of aeration openings34and the bottom surface42.

The cryogenic additive isolation portion22includes a cryogenic additive holding concavity28formed in the cryogenic additive tray26, which is stamped into the cryogenic additive tray26, where the cryogenic additive holding concavity28can occupy the entire area of the cryogenic additive tray26and/or can occupy the entire area of the cryogenic additive isolation portion22. Here, the cryogenic additive holding concavity28is an arc-shaped depression. In one or more embodiments, the volume and shape of the cryogenic additive holding concavity28is formed to hold and isolate a specific quantity of cryogenic additive A that is deposited into the cryogenic additive holding concavity28. The area is configured to catch and retain the dose of cryogenic additive A, which may be deposited in differing regions of the cryogenic additive holding concavity28, depending on the precision of the cryogenic dosing nozzle. The depth of the cryogenic additive holding concavity28is sufficient to prevent travel of the cryogenic additive A outside the cryogenic additive holding concavity28when rapidly moving due to the Leidenfrost effect. Further, other portions of the insert20can help to protect the inner wall214lining from small droplets of cryogenic additive A that may be ejected from the cryogenic additive holding concavity28, such as the flange30or even the aeration portion24.

FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate how the upper edge32of the flange30is sandwiched or positioned between the rim206of the container200and the flange222of the lid202, after a known sealing process, such as use of a seaming chuck and seaming roll to create a double seam with sealing compound between the rolls. The upper edge32of the flange30can be included in the resulting seam (i.e., rolled and sealed within the seam) or merely supported by a portion of the container200or a portion of the lid202.

In use, the fluid product F can be deposited into the interior208of the container200, then the insert20can be emplaced within the opening210of the container200(or vice versa). The fluid product F surface S level can be above or below the bottom surface42of the depression36, depending on the requirements of the particular process. The cryogenic additive A is deposited into the cryogenic additive holding concavity28of the cryogenic additive tray26, where the cryogenic additive A immediately begin to evaporate or boil (in the case where the cryogenic additive A is liquid nitrogen) to displace at least some of the oxygen within the head region above the fluid product F. Within seconds, the lid202is dropped onto the container200with the insert20trapped therebetween, and is sealed to the container200as described above. The multiplicity of aeration openings34permit the pressure of the nitrogen gas emitted from the cryogenic additive A to equalized throughout the head region. Shortly thereafter, the cryogenic additive A will be completely evaporated; and, in one or more embodiments, all or part of the cryogenic additive isolation portion22will have served its purpose and may not serve any further purpose. Once the container200is opened by the end user, all or part of the fluid product F will travel through at least some the multiplicity of aeration openings34of the aeration portion24when poured out of the opening218of the lid202, aerating the fluid product F as the fluid product F travels through each opening of the multiplicity of aeration openings34. The multiplicity of aeration openings34divides fluid product F into many individual streams, thus exposing a large area of the fluid product F to the air for more efficient and greater aeration.

Now turning to the embodiment ofFIGS. 7-14, the aeration portion24(or bowl in this case) and the cryogenic additive isolation portion22(or a tray in this case) are shown as an insert20assembly, made of two separate parts stamped out of metal or formed from other appropriate materials. Although the cryogenic additive isolation portion22and the aeration portion24are shown as an assembly, each can operate and function without the other. For example, the cryogenic additive isolation portion22can comprise the entire insert20and be installed in the container200without the aeration portion24when aeration is not required or wanted (such as when the fluid product F is tomato juice or the like). And, similarly, the aeration portion24can be installed within the container200without the cryogenic additive isolation portion22, in the case when a cryogenic additive A is not used or when the container200is not susceptible to cryogenic damage. All or part of one or both of the cryogenic additive isolation portion22and the aeration portion24can be treated with spray-coated epoxy lacquer, anodized, or the like to prevent interaction between the cryogenic additive A and the aluminum material.

Looking first at the cryogenic additive isolation tray22, it includes a cryogenic additive tray26having an opening52formed therethrough and a cryogenic additive holding concavity28formed on the cryogenic additive isolation tray22(where, in this example embodiment, a depression is formed into the cryogenic additive isolation tray22on the top side of the cryogenic additive isolation tray22opposite the fluid). The cryogenic additive holding concavity28may be integrally formed with the cryogenic additive isolation tray22or attached thereto or even formed without a substantial panel or tray structure. For example, the cryogenic additive holding concavity28could be suspended over the fluid product F contained in the container200by one or more wires, straps, strips, beams (i.e., material formed or folded to resist substantial bending under expected loads), a cantilevered structure, or even a floating structure, or the like. The cryogenic additive isolation tray22further includes a flange or collar56forming an annular wall about the cryogenic additive isolation tray22.

The opening52permits fluid communication between an upper chamber (which is defined between the top wall216of the lid202and the cryogenic additive isolation tray22) and the contained fluid product F, to permit pouring of the beverage out of the opening218, to permit an oxygen displacing gas to travel to the fluid product during evaporation of the cryogenic additive A, and/or to permit displaced oxygen to travel toward the lid202, and/or to permit pressure equalization throughout the interior208, and/or and to permit oxygen to interact with the fluid product F during pouring to enhance the flavor of the fluid product F (e.g., wine). When assembled to the container200, the cryogenic additive isolation tray22is configured to be arranged within the interior space208, further defined between the container200and the lid202, held planar perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical container200(i.e, such that the cryogenic additive isolation tray22, or portion thereof, is level with the ground during filling).

The aerator portion24is, in this example embodiment, a hemispherically shaped panel that includes one or more (i.e., a plurality or multiplicity) openings or perforations34to permit one or both of oxygen laden air and the fluid product F to travel therethrough. Referring to this embodiment and the prior embodiment, the multiplicity of perforations34may be arranged in a pattern, such as a concentric annular pattern, radial array, or the like. The multiplicity of perforations34can also be randomly arranged on the aerator portion24. In at least one embodiment, area of each of the perforations34are relatively small compared to the total area of the aerator portion24(e.g., the surface area of the hemisphere or bowl); for example, less than 1/10 the area of the aerator portion24area, or less than 1/20 the area of the aerator portion24area, or less than 1/50 the area of the aerator portion24area, or less than 1/100 the area of the aerator portion24area. The spaces that separate each of the perforations34from the neighboring perforations34provides opportunity for air to circulate between perforations34as streams of fluid are poured through the perforations34as the container200is tipped for pouring into a separate container.

The hemispherical shape of the aerator portion24is configured to provide clearance for the tab220as it is pried open. However, the shape of the aerator portion24can vary according to design requirements, and can be completely planar, partially planar and partially concave. Clearance may not be required in the form of a concavity, if the aerator portion24is positioned sufficiently below the furthest reach of the tab220; or if the aerator portion24is not positioned beneath the tab220. Additionally, clearance may not be required if part or all of the aerator portion24is made of a flexible or otherwise deformable material (such as a thin plastic sheet or mesh or the like), which deflects as the tab220is forced open by the user, with the tab220itself deforming the aerator portion24through contact.

Further, in one or more embodiments, the aerator portion24includes an annular collar48with a flared upper edge46shaped complementarily to the flange56of the cryogenic additive isolation tray22with a flared upper edge50, where each include a similar draft angle such that the cryogenic additive isolation tray22flange56nests within the aerator portion24collar48; and the two nest within the flare of the rim206, being prevented from falling into the interior210due to the draft of collar48and/or the flange46being too large to fit though the rim206at least at the largest diameter portion.

The cryogenic additive holding concavity28should be sufficiently large to contain most or all of the cryogenic additive A. In one or more embodiments, a wall54or dam is formed by bending up a portion of the cryogenic additive tray26at the opening52to prevent or substantially prevent flow or splatter of the cryogenic additive A into the fluid product F located therebelow. It is undesirable for a substantial quantity of the cryogenic additive A to fall into the fluid product F where the cryogenic additive A is permitted to interact with the container200liner wall214.

The cryogenic additive A can be chosen from a number of appropriate chemicals and/or compositions. One group of additives can include cryogenic materials, such as low temperature materials that change state (e.g., evaporation or sublimation) upon exposure to the higher temperatures within the container200and/or the atmosphere. Examples of cryogenic materials include liquid argon and liquid nitrogen. In one example embodiment, liquid argon at a low temperature is deposited on the cryogenic additive isolation tray22into the cryogenic additive holding concavity28. The liquid argon begins to immediately evaporate to gaseous argon upon exposure to room temperature. As the argon evaporates, the canning process is completed, where the lid202is sealed to the container200, with the cryogenic additive isolation tray22either sealed between the two, or wedged in place, or floating atop the beverage (e.g., being made of a material which permits flotation or a hollow sheet material), or being simply supported by a portion of the container200and/or the lid202. Once the container200is sealed by known processes (i.e., by use of a seaming chuck and seaming roll to create a double seam with sealing compound between the rolls), the liquid argon continues to evaporate, and thereby pressurizing the container200interior210to approximately15to30psi. Furthermore, the gaseous argon is heavier than air and thus displaces the oxygen on the surface of the fluid product F, so that, when the can is substantially upright, the inert argon forms a layer atop the fluid product F surface that substantially prevents contact between the fluid product F and the oxygen. In one or more embodiments, multiple additives can be added to the cryogenic additive isolation tray22in one or more cryogenic additive holding concavities28(or, in some cases, an cryogenic additive holding concavity28may not be required for additives that are not in danger of overflowing into the beverage). A second additive may include oxygen absorbing or scavenging materials known in industry.

The container200is at least partially filled with the fluid product F, which can include, in a non-limited list of examples, a flowable medium, such as a liquid, a slurry, a liquid with chunks of solid material, and other products which are in a temporary or permanent flowable state, including foods with a liquid component (e.g., soups, meal replacement drinks and shakes, and the like) and nonedible products (e.g., fluid products used in industry).

Aspects of the present specification may also be described as follows:1. An insert for a container having an interior, an inner wall, and a rim defining an opening, through which the container can be filled with a fluid product and dosed with a cryogenic additive, and a lid configured to be sealed with the rim after filling the container; the insert comprising a cryogenic additive isolation portion having a cryogenic additive tray comprising a cryogenic additive holding concavity, the cryogenic additive holding concavity configured to receive and substantially hold therein a cryogenic additive during the filling process such that the cryogenic additive is supported above the fluid product after filling and with the container substantially upright; an aeration portion having a multiplicity of openings formed therethrough; and a container engagement portion coupled with the cryogenic additive isolation portion and the aeration portion and configured to engage the container to supportively hold the insert within the interior of the container; wherein, during the filling process, the cryogenic additive is permitted to change state to a gas without substantially contacting the inner wall of the container and the fluid product contained therein while the cryogenic additive is at a cryogenic temperature; and wherein, during a pouring process, at least a portion of the fluid product must pass through at least some of the multiplicity of openings through the aeration portion.2. The insert of embodiment1wherein, the cryogenic additive isolation portion and the aeration portion are manufactured from a single sheet of material.3. The insert of embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the aeration portion is a depression with the multiplicity of openings formed in the single sheet of material, the depression positioned adjacent to the cryogenic additive isolation portion.4. The insert of any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the depression is configured to be at least partially submerged in the fluid product after filling and with the container substantially upright.5. The insert of any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein the depression includes the multiplicity of openings on at least two substantially opposing sides of the depression.6. The insert of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the container engagement portion is a skirt manufactured from the single sheet of material, the skirt configured to extend upwardly toward the rim of the container when fitted therewithin.7. The insert of any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the skirt is configured to be attached to a part of the container to hold the cryogenic additive isolation portion above the fluid product after filling and with the container substantially upright.8. The insert of any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein the part of the container is the rim of the container.9. The insert of any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein the aeration portion is a depression with the multiplicity of openings, the lid of the container includes a stay-on tab mechanism with a panel that is pried open for pouring to extend downward and into the container when the container, the depression being configured to be positioned beneath the stay-on tab mechanism and provide clearance for the panel when extended downward.10. The insert of any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein the cryogenic additive isolation portion is a first part and the aeration portion is a second part, the first part and the second part are joined to form an assembly.11. An insert for a container having an interior, an inner wall, and a rim defining an opening, through which the container can be filled with a fluid product and dosed with a cryogenic additive, and a lid configured to be sealed with the rim after filling the container; the insert comprising a cryogenic additive tray having a cryogenic additive holding concavity configured to receive and substantially hold therein a cryogenic additive during the filling process such that the cryogenic additive is isolated from the fluid product after filling and with the container substantially upright and while the cryogenic additive is at the cryogenic temperature; wherein, during the filling process, the cryogenic additive is permitted to change state to a gas without substantially contacting the inner wall of the container while the cryogenic additive is at the cryogenic temperature.12. The insert of embodiment 11, wherein the cryogenic additive tray further comprises a pressure equalization opening to permit equalization of pressure throughout the interior of the container due to expansion of the gas from the cryogenic additive.13. The insert of embodiments 11 or 12, wherein a wall extends upwardly between the cryogenic additive holding concavity and the pressure equalization opening, the wall being configured to substantially prevent flow of the cryogenic additive from the cryogenic additive holding concavity to the pressure equalization opening.14. The insert of any one of embodiments 11-13, wherein the pressure equalization opening is configured to be positioned beneath the stay-on tab mechanism and provide clearance for the panel when extended downward.15. The insert of any one of embodiments 11-14, further comprising a container engagement portion coupled with the cryogenic additive tray and configured to engage the container to supportively hold the insert within the interior of the container.16. The insert of any one of embodiments 11-15, further comprising an aeration portion having a multiplicity of openings formed therethrough, during a pouring process, at least a portion of the fluid product must pass through at least some of the multiplicity of openings through the aeration portion.17. The insert of any one of embodiments 11-16, wherein the cryogenic additive tray is a first part and the aeration portion is a second part, the first part and the second part are joined to form an assembly.18. A method of filling a container with a fluid product, the method comprising providing an insert comprising a cryogenic additive holding concavity; filling the container with the fluid product; emplacing the insert into the container though a container opening defining a container rim; introducing a quantity of a cryogenic additive into the container to be held in substantial isolation within the cryogenic additive holding concavity; sealing the container by placing a lid on the rim of the container to seal the opening; and permitting the cryogenic additive to change phase to a gas without substantially contacting the inner wall of the container while the cryogenic additive is at the cryogenic temperature.19. The method of embodiment 18, wherein further comprising an aeration portion having a multiplicity of openings formed therethrough, during a pouring process, at least a portion of the fluid product must pass through at least some of the multiplicity of openings through the aeration portion.20. The insert of embodiments 18-19, wherein wherein the cryogenic additive tray is a first part and the aeration portion is a second part, the first part and the second part are joined to form an assembly.

In closing, it is to be understood that, although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. The specific embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular compound, composition, article, apparatus, methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein, unless expressly stated as such. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that certain changes, modifications, permutations, alterations, additions, subtractions and sub-combinations thereof can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention is not to be limited by this detailed description. Furthermore, it is intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such changes, modifications, permutations, alterations, additions, subtractions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in the present specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about” means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent above and below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary. For instance, as mass spectrometry instruments can vary slightly in determining the mass of a given analyte, the term “about” in the context of the mass of an ion or the mass/charge ratio of an ion refers to +/− 0.50 atomic mass unit. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical indication should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and values setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical ranges and values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical range or value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Recitation of numerical ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate numerical value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of a numerical range is incorporated into the present specification as if it were individually recited herein.

When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the open-ended transitional term “comprising”, variations thereof such as, e.g., “comprise” and “comprises”, and equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof like “including,” “containing” and “having”, encompass all the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features alone or in combination with unrecited subject matter; the named elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features are essential, but other unnamed elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features may be added and still form a construct within the scope of the claim. Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” (or variations thereof such as, e.g., “consist of”, “consists of”, “consist essentially of”, and “consists essentially of”) in lieu of or as an amendment for “comprising.” When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, limitation, step, integer, or feature not expressly recited in the claims. The closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features and any other elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Thus, the meaning of the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” is being defined as encompassing all the specifically recited elements, limitations, steps and/or features as well as any optional, additional unspecified ones. The meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features specifically recited in the claim, whereas the meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features specifically recited in the claim and those elements, limitations, steps, integers, and/or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” (and equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof) includes within its meaning, as a limiting case, claimed subject matter specified by the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” As such, the embodiments described herein or so claimed with the phrase “comprising” expressly and unambiguously provide description, enablement and support for the phrases “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.”

Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described.