Patent Publication Number: US-2018044201-A1

Title: Liquid containers having filters and related methods

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/129,739, filed Mar. 6, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to liquid containers, and more specifically, but not by way of limitation, to liquid containers, such as water and/or sport bottles, having filters. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Liquid containers, such as water and/or sport bottles, are often used as portable sources of liquid, such as water, for human consumption. Such liquid containers are typically filled with liquid from a liquid source prior to use. 
     However, such liquid sources may provide liquid containing contaminants. For example, water from a tap may contain microorganisms, disinfectants, disinfection byproducts, chemicals, radionuclides, and/or the like, which, in some instances, may be hazardous for human consumption. Therefore, some liquid containers include a filter configured to filter liquid within the liquid container prior to human consumption of the liquid. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of the present liquid containers are configured, through a plurality of apertures defined by a housing of a filter assembly configured to contain a filter, each of the plurality of apertures having a minimum transverse dimension larger than a minimum transverse dimension of an outlet of the liquid container, to, for example, mitigate flow restrictions in liquid flow through the filter while retaining the filter within the housing. 
     Some embodiments of the present liquid containers are configured, through a straw configured to be in fluid communication between an outlet of the liquid container and a filter such that the straw extends into the filter and is spaced apart from an innermost surface of a filter media of the filter, to, for example, provide for substantially radial liquid flow, as opposed to axial liquid flow, through the filter media, reduce a pressure differential required for liquid flow through the filter media, and/or the like. 
     Some embodiments of the present liquid containers comprise: a bottle having a sidewall defining an interior volume configured to hold liquid and a mouth in fluid communication with the interior volume, a cap defining a recess configured to receive a portion of the bottle to cover at least a portion of the mouth, the cap defining an outlet in fluid communication with the interior volume, and a filter assembly configured to filter liquid communicated between the interior volume and the outlet, the filter assembly having: a first end, a second end, and a housing extending from the first end to the second end to define an interior passageway configured to contain a filter having: an upper end cap defining an opening, a lower end cap, and a filter media extending between the upper end cap and the lower end cap, and a straw configured to be coupled in fluid communication between the outlet and the opening such that the straw extends into the interior passageway of the housing. In some embodiments, the straw is configured to extend through the upper end cap of the filter such that the straw is spaced apart from an innermost surface of the filter media. 
     In some embodiments, the housing between the first end and the second end defines a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the interior passageway. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of apertures comprises a substantially circular cross-section. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of apertures has a minimum transverse dimension larger than a minimum transverse dimension of the outlet. In some embodiments, the interior passageway of the housing is configured to contain the filter such that the second end of the filter assembly is substantially closed. 
     In some embodiments, the filter comprises a first fitting extending away from the upper end cap and surrounding the opening, the first fitting defining one or more annular grooves, each configured to receive an O-ring, and the first fitting is configured to be coupled to the straw. In some embodiments, the first fitting is configured to be received by the straw. In some embodiments, the cap comprises a second fitting extending away from the recess and surrounding the outlet, the second fitting defining one or more annular grooves, each configured to receive an O-ring, and the second fitting is configured to be coupled to the straw. In some embodiments, the second fitting is configured to be received by the straw. In some embodiments, the straw is unitary with at least a portion of the housing. 
     Some embodiments of the present liquid containers comprise: a bottle having a sidewall defining an interior volume configured to hold liquid and a mouth in fluid communication with the interior volume, a cap defining a recess configured to receive a portion of the bottle to cover at least a portion of the mouth, the cap defining an outlet in fluid communication with the interior volume, and a filter assembly configured to filter liquid communicated between the interior volume and the outlet, the filter assembly having: a first end, a second end, and a housing extending from the first end to the second end to define an interior passageway configured to contain a filter having: an upper end cap defining an opening, a lower end cap, and a filter media extending between the upper end cap and the lower end cap, where the housing between the first end and the second end defines a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the interior passageway, each of the plurality of apertures having a minimum transverse dimension larger than a minimum transverse dimension of the outlet, where the filter assembly is configured to be coupled to the cap such that the opening of the filter is in fluid communication with the outlet. 
     In some embodiments, each of the plurality of apertures comprises a substantially circular cross-section. In some embodiments, the interior passageway of the housing is configured to contain the filter such that the second end of the filter assembly is closed. 
     In some embodiments, the filter comprises a first fitting extending away from the upper end cap and surrounding the opening, the first fitting defining one or more annular grooves, each configured to receive an O-ring, and the first fitting is configured to be coupled to the cap. In some embodiments, the cap comprises a second fitting extending away from the recess and surrounding the outlet, the second fitting defining one or more annular grooves, each configured to receive an O-ring, and the second fitting is configured to be coupled to the upper end cap of the filter. In some embodiments, the first end of the filter assembly is configured to be press-fit to the cap. In some embodiments, the first end of the filter assembly is configured to be threadably coupled to the cap. 
     In some embodiments of the present liquid containers, the housing of the filter assembly is substantially cylindrical. In some embodiments, the housing of the filter assembly is spaced apart from the sidewall of the bottle. In some embodiments, the interior passageway of the housing is configured to contain the filter such that the filter media is spaced apart from the housing. 
     Some embodiments comprise the filter. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the filter is unitary with at least a portion of the housing of the filter assembly. In some embodiments, the lower end cap of the filter is closed. In some embodiments, the upper end cap of the filter and the lower end cap of the filter each define a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the filter media. In some embodiments, the recess of each of the upper end cap and the lower end cap is annular. 
     In some embodiments, the filter media has a nominal pore size of less than 0.5 micron. In some embodiments, the filter media comprises pleated fabric. In some embodiments, the pleated fabric comprises carbon. 
     In some embodiments, the cap is configured to be threadably coupled to the bottle. In some embodiments, the cap comprises a vent configured to adjust an internal pressure of the bottle. In some embodiments, the cap comprises a mouth piece in fluid communication with the outlet. In some embodiments, the mouth piece is laterally offset from the outlet. Some embodiments comprise a lid pivotally coupled to the cap, the lid configured to selectively cover the outlet. 
     Some embodiments of the present methods comprise: providing a filter having an upper end cap defining an opening, a lower end cap, and a filter media extending between the upper end cap and the lower end cap to define an inner volume, disposing a straw through the opening and into the inner volume such that the straw is spaced apart from an innermost surface of the filter media, disposing the filter through a mouth of a bottle and into an interior volume of the bottle, and disposing a cap defining an outlet over at least a portion of the mouth such that the outlet is in fluid communication with the straw. 
     The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically; two items that are “coupled” may be unitary with each other. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise. The term “substantially” is defined as largely but not necessarily wholly what is specified (and includes what is specified; e.g., substantially 90 degrees includes 90 degrees and substantially parallel includes parallel), as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. In any disclosed embodiment, the term “substantially” may be substituted with “within [a percentage] of” what is specified, where the percentage includes 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 percent. 
     Further, a device or system that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but it can also be configured in other ways than those specifically described. 
     The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”), and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, an apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those elements. Likewise, a method that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more steps possesses those one or more steps, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps. 
     Any embodiment of any of the apparatuses, systems, and methods can consist of or consist essentially of—rather than comprise/include/contain/have—any of the described steps, elements, and/or features. Thus, in any of the claims, the term “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” can be substituted for any of the open-ended linking verbs recited above, in order to change the scope of a given claim from what it would otherwise be using the open-ended linking verb. 
     The feature or features of one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, even though not described or illustrated, unless expressly prohibited by this disclosure or the nature of the embodiments. 
     Some details associated with the embodiments are described above and others are described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation. For the sake of brevity and clarity, every feature of a given structure is not always labeled in every figure in which that structure appears. Identical reference numbers do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference number may be used to indicate a similar feature or a feature with similar functionality, as may non-identical reference numbers. The figures are drawn to scale (unless otherwise noted), meaning the sizes of the depicted elements are accurate relative to each other for at least the embodiment depicted in the figures. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present liquid containers. 
         FIGS. 1B and 1C  are front and back views, respectively, of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIGS. 1D and 1E  are opposing side views of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIGS. 1F and 1G  are top and bottom views, respectively, of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1H  is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1I  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1J  is a cross-sectional top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of the present liquid containers. 
         FIG. 2B  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1A-1J , shown therein and designated by the reference numeral  10   a  is a first embodiment of the present liquid containers. In the embodiment shown, liquid container  10   a  comprises a bottle  14  configured to hold liquid. The present liquid containers may be configured to hold any suitable liquid, such as, for example, water (whether flavored or unflavored), sports drinks, and/or the like. For example, in this embodiment, bottle  14  has a sidewall  18  defining an interior volume  22  ( FIG. 1H ) configured to hold liquid and a mouth  26  in fluid communication with the interior volume. In the depicted embodiment, bottle  14  comprises glass; however, in other embodiments, respective bottles (e.g.,  14 ) may comprise any suitable material, such as, for example, plastic, metal, and/or the like. In the embodiment shown, bottle  14  is rigid; however, in other embodiments, respective bottles (e.g.,  14 ) may comprise respective sidewalls (e.g.,  18 ) having flexible portions (e.g., and such respective bottles may be squeezable). 
     In this embodiment, liquid container  10   a  comprises a sleeve  30 , which may be disposed over exterior surfaces of bottle  14 . As shown, in the depicted embodiment, sleeve  30  is flexible such that the sleeve may conform to exterior surfaces of bottle  14  when the sleeve is disposed over the exterior surfaces of the bottle. In the embodiment shown, sleeve  30  comprises silicone; however, in other embodiments, respective sleeves (e.g.,  30 ) may comprise any suitable material, such as, for example, rubber, nitrile, vinyl, neoprene, and/or the like. In at least this way, respective sleeves (e.g.,  30 ) of embodiments of the present liquid containers may protect respective bottles (e.g.,  14 ) from damage, thermally insulate the respective bottles, provide an anti-slip surface for a user to grasp, and/or the like. 
     In this embodiment, liquid container  10   a  comprises a cap  34  configured to be coupled to bottle  14  such that the cap covers at least a portion of (e.g., up to and including all of) mouth  26 . For example, in the depicted embodiment, cap  34  defines a recess  38  configured to receive a portion of bottle  14  (e.g., a portion of sidewall  18  that defines mouth  26 ) to cover at least a portion of mouth  26 . In the embodiment shown, cap  34  comprises plastic; however, in other embodiments, respective caps (e.g.,  34 ) may comprise any suitable material, such as, for example, metal, and/or the like. In this embodiment, cap  34  is configured to be threadably coupled to bottle  14  (e.g., as shown, via threads on bottle  14  and cap  34 ), and such coupling between the cap and the bottle may be sealed (e.g., by an O-ring); however, in other embodiments, respective caps (e.g.,  34 ) can be coupled to respective bottles (e.g.,  14 ) in any suitable fashion, such as, for example, via a press-fit, snap-fit, interlocking features of the respective caps and/or the respective bottles, and/or the like. In the depicted embodiment, liquid container  10   a  comprises a handle  42  (e.g., coupled to cap  34 , integrally formed with the cap, and/or the like) (e.g., to facilitate a user in carrying liquid container  10   a ). 
     In the embodiment shown, cap  34  defines an outlet  46  in fluid communication with interior volume  22 . In this embodiment, cap  34  comprises an open mouth piece  50  extending from the cap opposite recess  38  and in fluid communication with (e.g., surrounding) outlet  46 . In the depicted embodiment, open mouth piece  50  has a minimum interior transverse dimension  54  larger than a minimum transverse dimension  58  of outlet  46 . In the embodiment shown, mouth piece  50  is laterally offset (e.g., in a direction indicated by arrow  62 ) from outlet  46  (e.g., an opening of open mouth piece  50  is off-center from, non-coaxial with, and/or does not share a longitudinal axis with, outlet  46 ). In this embodiment, cap  34  comprises a vent  64  (e.g., a one-way valve) configured to adjust an internal pressure of bottle  14  (e.g., by allowing air to enter interior volume  22  as liquid leaves the interior volume). 
     In the depicted embodiment, liquid container  10   a  comprises a lid  66  pivotally coupled to cap  34  and configured to selectively cover outlet  46 . For example, in the embodiment shown, lid  66  defines a recess  70  configured to receive mouth piece  50  when the lid is in the closed position ( FIG. 1H ) to cover outlet  46 . In this embodiment, lid  66  is pivotally coupled to cap  34  at a hinge  74 . In the depicted embodiment, hinge  74  comprises a bearing  78  (e.g., defined by cap  34 ) and a pin  82  (e.g., defined by lid  66 ) rotatably received by the bearing. However, in other embodiments, respective hinges (e.g.,  74 ) can comprise any suitable structure, such as, for example, a living hinge (e.g., and in such embodiments, respective lids (e.g.,  66 ) or portions thereof may be unitary and/or integrally formed with respective caps (e.g.,  34 ) and/or portions thereof). In yet other embodiments, respective lids (e.g.,  66 ) may be removable from respective caps (e.g.,  34 ), and respective hinges (e.g.,  74 ) may be omitted. As shown, in this embodiment, cap  34  and/or lid  66  define a latch  84  configured to releasably secure the lid in the closed position. 
     In the embodiment shown, liquid container  10   a  comprises a filter assembly  86   a  configured to filter liquid communicated between interior volume  22  and outlet  46 . In this embodiment, filter assembly  86   a  has a first end  90   a , a second end  94   a , and a housing  98   a  extending from the first end to the second end to define an interior passageway  102   a  configured to contain or, in some embodiments, containing a filter  106 . In some embodiments, at least a portion of a respective filter (e.g.,  106 ) (e.g., upper end cap  118 , lower end cap  126 , filter media  130 , and/or the like, components described in more detail below) is unitary and/or integrally formed with at least a portion of a respective housing (e.g.,  98   a ). In the depicted embodiment, housing  98   a  comprises plastic; however, in other embodiments, respective housings (e.g.,  98   a ) can comprise any suitable material, such as, for example metal, and/or the like. In the embodiment shown, housing  98   a  substantially cylindrical ( FIGS. 1H, 1J ); however, in other embodiments, respective housings (e.g.,  98   a ) can comprise any suitable shape, such as, for example, a shape comprising an elliptical and/or otherwise rounded cross-section, a triangular, rectangular, and/or otherwise polygonal cross-section, and/or the like. In this embodiment, housing  98   a  is spaced apart from sidewall  18  of bottle  14  (e.g., to facilitate liquid flow into filter assembly  86   a ). 
     In the depicted embodiment, housing  98   a  between first end  90   a  and second end  94   a  defines a plurality of apertures  110  in fluid communication with interior passageway  102   a  ( FIG. 1I ). In the embodiment shown, each of plurality of apertures  110  comprises a substantially circular cross-section; however, in other embodiments, respective apertures (e.g.,  110 ) of respective housings (e.g.,  98   a ) can comprise any suitable cross-section. In this embodiment, each of plurality of apertures  110  has a minimum transverse dimension  114  larger than minimum transverse dimension  58  of outlet  46 . In these ways and others, housing  98   a  may mitigate flow restrictions in liquid flow through filter  106 , while retaining the filter within the housing. 
     In the depicted embodiment, filter  106  comprises an upper end cap  118  defining an opening  122 , a lower end cap  126 , and a filter media  130  extending the between upper end cap and the lower end cap. In the embodiment shown, lower end cap  126  is closed. In this embodiment, upper end cap  118  and lower end cap  126  each define an (e.g., annular) recess,  134  and  138 , respectively, each of the recesses configured to receive at least a portion of filter media  130 . In this embodiment, filter  106  comprises a first fitting or open stem  142  extending away from upper end cap  118  opposite recess  134  and surrounding opening  122 . In the embodiment shown, first fitting or open stem  142  defines one or more annular grooves  146  (e.g., on an exterior surface and/or on an interior surface of the first fitting or open stem), each configured to receive an O-ring  150 . As shown, in this embodiment, opening  122  of filter  106  is off-centered on upper end cap  118  (e.g., is defined by the upper end cap closer to a first side of the upper end cap than to a second side of the upper end cap that is opposite the first side of the upper end cap). In at least this way, filter  106  and/or filter assembly  86   a  may be substantially laterally centered within interior volume  22 , while allowing outlet  46  to be off-centered on cap  34  (e.g., defined by the cap closer to a first side of the cap than to a second side of the cap that is opposite the first side of the cap) (e.g., facilitating a user in drinking from liquid container  10   a ). 
     In the depicted embodiment, filter media  130  is generally annular, defining an inner volume  154 . For example, in the embodiment shown, filter media  130  comprises a plurality of annularly disposed pleats  158 . In this embodiment, filter media  130  comprises carbon-infused fabric having a nominal pore size of less than 0.5 microns. Filter  106  is provided only by way of example, as the present liquid containers may be configured for use with any suitable respective filter (e.g.,  106 ), comprising any suitable respective filter media (e.g.,  130 ) (e.g., metallic alloy filters, ceramic filters, and/or the like), having any suitable nominal pore size. 
     In the embodiment shown, interior passageway  102   a  of housing  98   a  is configured to contain filter  106  such that filter media  130  is spaced apart from the housing (e.g., to facilitate liquid flow into the filter media). In this embodiment, interior passageway  102   a  is configured to contain filter  106  such that second end  94   a  of filter assembly  86   a  is substantially closed. For example, in the depicted embodiment, when filter  106  is received within interior passageway  102   a , housing  98   a  and lower end cap  126  cooperate to substantially close second end  94   a  of filter assembly  86   a  (e.g., defining a relatively small annular passageway  162  in communication with the interior passageway of the housing). In these ways and others, filter assembly  86   a  may be configured to encourage radial liquid flow (e.g., through plurality of apertures  110 ), as opposed to axial liquid flow, through filter  106 , while allowing the filter assembly to collect liquid disposed at the bottom of bottle  14  (e.g., opposite mouth  26 ). 
     In the embodiment shown, liquid container  10   a  comprises a straw  166  configured to be coupled in fluid communication between outlet  46  and opening  122 . In this embodiment, straw  166  is configured to be coupled to first fitting or open stem  142  of filter  106 . For example, in the depicted embodiment, first fitting or open stem  142  is configured to be received by straw  166 ; however, in other embodiments, respective straws (e.g.,  166 ) may be received by respective first fittings or open stems (e.g.,  142 ). For further example, in the embodiment shown, cap  34  comprises a second fitting or open stem  170  extending away from the cap opposite mouth piece  50  and surrounding outlet  46 . In this embodiment, second fitting or open stem  170  defines one or more annular grooves  174 , each configured to receive an O-ring  178 . In the depicted embodiment, straw  166  is configured to be coupled to second fitting or open stem  170  of cap  34 . For example, in the embodiment shown, second fitting or open stem  170  is configured to be received by straw  166 ; however, in other embodiments, respective straws (e.g.,  166 ) may be received by respective second fittings or open stems (e.g.,  170 ). As shown, in this embodiment, straw  166  is not configured to retain any O-rings (e.g., the straw does not comprise any grooves, such as, for example, annular grooves  146  and  174  of first fitting or open stem  142  and second fitting or open stem  170 , respectively). O-rings (e.g.,  150 ,  178 ), annular grooves (e.g.,  146 ,  174 ), and/or the like are provided only by way of example, as embodiments of the present liquid containers may comprise any suitable respective sealing structure(s) (e.g., mechanical seals, and/or the like). 
     In this embodiment, straw  166  extends into interior passageway  102   a  of housing  98   a . In the depicted embodiment, straw  166  is configured to extend into filter  106  (e.g., into inner volume  154 ) through upper end cap  118  such that the straw is spaced apart from an innermost surface  182  of filter media  130 . In at least this way, some embodiments of the present liquid containers may be configured to, for example, provide for substantially radial liquid flow, as opposed to axial liquid flow, through a respective filter media (e.g.,  130 ), reduce a pressure differential required for liquid flow through the respective filter media, and/or the like. In this embodiment, straw  166  is unitary and/or integrally formed with at least a portion of housing  98   a ; however, in other embodiments, respective straws (e.g.,  166 ) may be separate components from respective housings (e.g.,  98   a ). 
     Some embodiments of the present methods comprise providing a filter (e.g.,  106 ) having an upper end cap (e.g.,  118 ) defining an opening (e.g.,  122 ), a lower end cap (e.g.,  126 ), and a filter media (e.g.,  130 ) extending between the upper end cap and the lower end cap to define an inner volume (e.g.,  154 ), disposing a straw (e.g.,  166 ) through the opening and into the inner volume such that the straw is spaced apart from an innermost surface (e.g.,  182 ) of the filter media, disposing the filter through a mouth (e.g.,  26 ) of a bottle (e.g.,  14 ) and into an interior volume (e.g.,  22 ) of the bottle, and disposing a cap (e.g.,  34 ) defining an outlet (e.g.,  46 ) over at least a portion of the mouth such that the outlet is in fluid communication with the straw. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , shown therein and designated by the reference numeral  10   b  is a second embodiment of the present liquid containers. Liquid container  10   b  is substantially similar to liquid container  10   a , with the primary exceptions described below. In the embodiment shown, filter assembly  86   b  is configured to be coupled to cap  34  (e.g., without straw  166 ) such that opening  122  of filter  106  is in fluid communication with outlet  46 . For example, in this embodiment, first end  90   b  of filter assembly  86   b  is configured to be threadably coupled to cap  34  (e.g., as shown, via threads on housing  98   b  of filter assembly  86   b  and cap  34 ); however, in other embodiments, respective filter assemblies (e.g.,  86   b ) can be coupled to respective caps (e.g.,  34 ) in any suitable fashion, such as, for example, via a press-fit, snap-fit, interlocking features of the respective filter assemblies and/or the respective caps, and/or the like. 
     In the depicted embodiment, first fitting or open stem  142  is configured to be coupled to cap  34 . For example, in the embodiment shown, second fitting or open stem  170  of cap  34  is configured to be coupled first fitting or open stem  142  of filter  106 . In this embodiment, first fitting or open stem  142  is configured to receive second fitting or open stem  170 . In this way, for example, some embodiments of the present liquid containers may be modular in nature (e.g., configured for use with and/or without straw  166 ). However, in other embodiments, respective second fittings or open stems (e.g.,  170 ) may be configured to receive respective first fittings or open stems (e.g.,  142 ). 
     In the embodiment shown, interior passageway  102   b  of housing  98   b  is configured to contain filter  106  such that second end  94   b  of filter assembly  86   b  is closed. For example, in this embodiment, second end  94   b  of filter assembly  86   b  (e.g., housing  98   b ) defines an opening  186 , and lower end cap  126  of filter  106  is configured to cover opening  186  when filter  106  is received within interior passageway  102   b.    
     The above specification and examples provide a complete description of the structure and use of illustrative embodiments. Although certain embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention. As such, the various illustrative embodiments of the methods and systems are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims, and embodiments other than the one shown may include some or all of the features of the depicted embodiment. For example, elements may be omitted or combined as a unitary structure, and/or connections may be substituted. Further, where appropriate, aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples having comparable or different properties and/or functions, and addressing the same or different problems. Similarly, it will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. 
     The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted to include, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s) “means for” or “step for,” respectively.