Patent Publication Number: US-11659877-B1

Title: Hem protector

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/782,514, filed on Dec. 20, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed generally to hem protectors. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Without hem protectors, debris and moisture may accumulate along the edges of the leg openings at the bottom of a pair of long pants or trousers. In particular, the edges of the leg openings may become saturated with moisture in rainy or snowy environments. Once the edge of the leg opening has become wet, capillary action is likely to cause more of the trouser leg to become wet. Wet trousers can cause discomfort to the wearer, absorb colored dye from the wearer’s shoes into the fabric of the trousers, transfer colored dye from the wearer’s trousers to the wearer’s shoes, and generally cause an unsightly presentation. 
     Traditionally, hem protectors have relied on interaction between the wearer’s trouser legs and the wearer’s shoes. For instance, one type of hem protector includes a protrusion that is attached to the heel of the wearer’s shoe and functions as a physical barrier that prevents the wearer’s trouser leg from dropping below the protrusion. Unfortunately, this type of hem protector does not guard the edge of the leg opening from moisture. Alternatively, another type of hem protector uses a fastener to attach the bottom of the trouser leg to the heel of the wearer’s shoe. Unfortunately, the fastener can permanently damage the wearer’s shoe and/or the wearer’s trouser leg. Further, this type of hem protector does not guard the edge of the leg opening from moisture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements. 
         FIG.  1    is a top perspective view of a hem cover or protector and a backing. 
         FIG.  2    is a top view of the hem protector of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of the hem protector of  FIG.  1    illustrating the general thinness of the hem protector relative to its length. 
         FIG.  4    is a side view of the hem protector of  FIG.  1    illustrating the general thinness of the hem protector relative to its width. 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram illustrating the hem protector being modified for use with a trouser leg. 
         FIG.  6    is a diagram illustrating a first step of a method of attaching the hem protector to the trouser leg. 
         FIG.  7    is a diagram illustrating a second step of the method of attaching the hem protector to the trouser leg. 
         FIG.  8    is a diagram illustrating the hem protector attached to the trouser leg. 
         FIG.  9    is a top view of a lighted hem protector. 
         FIG.  10    is a top view of differently sized light emitting diode (“LED”) strips that may be used to construct the lighted hem protector of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  11    is a top perspective view of the lighted hem protector of  FIG.  9    attached to the trouser leg. 
         FIG.  12    is a top perspective view of light generated by a pair of lighted hem protectors illuminating outwardly from a pair of trouser legs. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Throughout the drawings, like reference characters are used to designate like elements. As used herein, the term “coupled” or “coupling” may indicate a connection. The connection may be a direct or an indirect connection between one or more items. 
       FIG.  1    is a top exploded perspective view of an assembly or package  100  that includes a hem cover or protector  101  and a backing sheet of material (referred to as a “backing”  102 ). A user may use the hem protector  101  and methods related to the hem protector  101  to protect and/or decorate at least a portion of an edge  310  (see  FIG.  7   ) defining an opening  312  (see  FIG.  11   ) at a bottom  314  (see  FIG.  8   ) of a leg  300  (see  FIGS.  5 ,  7 ,  8 ,  11 , and  12   ) of a pair of long pants or trousers  320  (see  FIG.  12   ). The user may be anybody of any age, including a man, a woman, a teenager, a child, and the like. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , the trouser leg  300  is constructed from at least one material (e.g., a fabric) having an exterior side  322  opposite an interior side  324  that faces into the trouser leg  300 . For ease of illustration, the material(s) will be referred to below as being a fabric. Referring to  FIG.  7   , the edge  310  may be formed by hemming the trouser leg  300 . For example, the trouser leg  300  may be turned over or folded to place a free end of the trouser leg  300  against a portion of the trouser leg  300 . Then, the free end may be stitched (with stitches  316 ) to the portion of the trouser leg  300 . However, the edge  310  need not actually be formed by hemming. 
       FIG.  2    is a top view of the hem protector  101 . As illustrated, the hem protector  101  may have a generally rectangular outer shape with curved or rounded corners.  FIG.  3    is a side view of the hem protector  101  illustrating the general thinness of the hem protector  101  relative to its length.  FIG.  4    is a side view of the hem protector  101 , illustrating the general thinness of the hem protector  101  relative to its width. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  2 - 4   , the hem protector  101  may be constructed from a generally flat sheet of waterproof material. For example, the hem protector  101  may be constructed from a polymer sheet. The hem protector  101  may be transparent or tinted. Alternatively, the hem protector  101  may be at least partially opaque and/or translucent. The hem protector  101  may be disposable and, in at least some embodiments, the hem protector  101  may be replaceable and/or reusable. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the hem protector  101  has an outwardly facing side  110  opposite an inwardly facing side  112 . The hem protector  101  may have a thickness within a range of 2.5 thousandths of an inch (“mils”) to 3 mils. The thickness is defined from the outwardly facing side  110  to the inwardly facing side  112 . Typically, a hem protector having a thickness that is less than 2.5 mils is not sufficiently durable to protect the edge  310  (see  FIG.  8   ) from inclement weather. On the other hand, a hem protector having a thickness that is greater than 3 mils is typically not sufficiently flexible to bend on clothing. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , the hem protector  101  may be transparent or sufficiently clear to render the hem protector  101  not readily identifiable or noticeable when viewed from the exterior of the trouser leg  300 . Alternatively, the hem protector  101  may be designed to blend visually with the trouser leg  300  or to go unnoticed by others. For example, the outwardly facing side  110  may be a denim blue color and/or include a denim pattern configured to match a specific color and/or pattern of a pair of jeans. A plurality of hem protectors, each like the hem protector  101 , may each have an outwardly facing side that is a different color (e.g., shades of blue and/or white) to accommodate different colors of trousers (e.g., jeans). Such a plurality of hem protectors may be sold together as a kit. 
     Alternatively, the hem protector  101  may be designed to be visible along the edge  310  (see  FIG.  7   ). In such embodiments, the outwardly facing side  110  may be configured to enhance the appearance of the clothing (e.g., the trouser leg  300  and/or the trousers  320  illustrated in  FIG.  12   ). For example, the outwardly facing side  110  may be a solid color or include one or more colors arranged in a pattern, or a print. The outwardly facing side  110  may include any nature of decoration. For example, the outwardly facing side  110  may include a floral pattern, a plaid design, an Aztec print, an arbitrary design, and the like. The outwardly facing side  110  may have one or more designs, characters, and/or words printed thereupon or formed in (e.g., embossed on) the hem protector  101 . Such designs may include different ornamental colorful shapes. The outwardly facing side  110  may be reflective and/or include reflective regions. The outwardly facing side  110  may include glitter, beads, sequins, and/or other types of embellishments. 
     By way of another non-limiting example, the outwardly facing side  110  may have one or more slogans printed thereupon and/or include glitter. The outwardly facing side  110  may include custom designs, pictures, and/or sayings. For example, the outwardly facing side  110  may include one or more custom logos and/or designs (e.g., I❤NY, BACK OFF, #CUTE, and the like). The outwardly facing side  110  may be used to express whatever the user desires. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the hem protector  101  has an adhesive coating or layer  114  applied to the inwardly facing side  112  (see  FIG.  3   ). The adhesive layer  114  may be temporarily fitted or attached to the backing  102  to thereby attach the hem protector  101  to the backing  102  and form the package  100 . Referring to  FIG.  7   , the hem protector  101  may be removed (e.g., peeled) from the backing  102  (see  FIGS.  1  and  6   ) and affixed, by the adhesive layer  114 , to the trouser leg  300  along the edge  310  (see  FIG.  7   ). In other words, the hem protector  101  may be applied to the exterior side  322  and the interior side  324  (see  FIG.  11   ) of the fabric of the trouser leg  300  by the adhesive layer  114 , which is capable of sticking to fabric surfaces. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the backing  102  may be constructed from paper with an applied wax coating  116  that facilitates the adhesive layer 14 of the hem protector  101  being peeled away from the wax coating  116 . 
     A user may not desire to use the full length or width of the hem protector  101 . When this is the case, referring to  FIG.  5   , the user may use a cutting tool  301  (e.g., scissors) to trim excess dimensionality from the package  100  before the hem protector  101  (see  FIGS.  1 - 4  and  6 - 8   ) is peeled from the backing  102  (see  FIGS.  1  and  6   ). For instance, a user may measure the length of the package  100  and use the cutting tool  301  to trim the package  100  to a preferable length. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , the hem protector  101  is particularly well suited for placement along the edge  310  (see  FIG.  7   ) of the opening  312  (see  FIG.  11   ) at the bottom  314  of the trouser leg  300 . After the user has optionally trimmed the package  100  (see  FIGS.  1  and  5   ), the user may apply the hem protector  101  to at least a portion of the edge  310  (see  FIG.  7   ). Referring to  FIG.  6   , to apply the hem protector  101  along the edge  310  (see  FIG.  7   ), the user peels the hem protector  101  from the backing  102 . Next, referring to  FIG.  7   , with the adhesive layer  114  facing directed towards the trouser leg  300 , the user applies approximately half the width of the hem protector  101  to the exterior side  322  of the fabric of the trouser leg  300  along the edge  310  and then folds the hem protector  101  lengthwise in a direction identified by a curved arrow “A” and applies the remaining half of the hem protector  101  to the interior side  324  (see  FIG.  11   ) of the fabric of the trouser leg  300 . The user may press the adhesive layer  114  against the exterior side  322  and the interior side  324  (see  FIG.  11   ) of the fabric to ensure the hem protector  101  is adequately adhered along and covers the covered portion of the edge  310 . The result is shown in  FIG.  8   . As shown in  FIG.  8   , the wearer’s shoe heal  330  may extend below the hem protector  101 . Further, the hem protector  101  may be positioned at the rear (or heel side) of the trouser leg  300  to protect the trouser leg  300  from becoming soiled with debris or moisture (e.g., as the wearer walks). The hem protector  101  helps preserve the trouser leg  300  and helps protect the trouser leg  300  from water, dirt, germs, and grime. The hem protector  101  may also prevent fraying, rips, and tears along the covered portion of the edge  310  (see  FIG.  7   ). 
     When the hem protector  101  is installed along the edge  310  (see  FIG.  7   ), the hem protector  101  helps protect and/or preserve the trousers  320  (see  FIG.  12   ), which may be an expensive new pair of pants (e.g., jeans), from being ruined by the outside environment. In other words, the hem protector  101  may be used to prolong the life and/or wearability of the trousers  320  (see  FIG.  12   ), which saves the wearer money. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , the hem protector  101  may be removed from the trouser leg  300  by simply peeling the hem protector  101  from along the edge  310  (see  FIG.  7   ). The adhesive layer  114  may be configured to cling to the inwardly facing side  112  (see  FIG.  3   ) and release the fabric (e.g., without damaging the fabric) as the hem protector  101  is peeled away from the trouser leg  300 . 
     Due to the flexibility and strength of the hem protector  101  (e.g., implemented as a polymer sheet), the adhesive layer  114  of the hem protector  101  may be used to facilitate or form a temporary hem. For example, the user may use a pair of hem protectors (each like the hem protector  101 ) to temporarily hem a pair of trouser legs to new reduced lengths. This is mainly done when the trouser legs are too long for the user. Instead of simply folding (or cuffing) the trouser legs to reduce their length, the user could instead use a pair of hem protectors (each like the hem protector  101 ) to form temporary hems. To accomplish this, the user folds up the trouser legs to determine a desired finished hem length. For example, the free ends of the trouser legs may each be folded to position the free end inside (or outside) its trouser leg. The user may then affix the pair of hem protectors along the edges defined by the folds in the trouser legs. The hem protector  101  is configured (e.g., wide enough) to extend upwardly beyond the free ends of the trouser legs. Thus, the adhesive layer  114  of each of the hem protectors may be adhered to the trouser fabric at a location above the free end. In this manner, the hem protectors may be wrapped around the folds formed in the trouser legs and adhered to the trouser fabric at a location above the free ends. Thus, the hem protectors may firmly hold the folds in place and form temporary hems. Such alterations, when made by a seamstress, are costly and permanent. The position of sewn hems cannot be changed without removing the stitching, which is time consuming and can damage the trouser legs. In contrast, a pair of hem protectors (each like the hem protector  101 ) allow the user to change the length of a pair of trouser legs whenever desired because the temporary hems created by the hem protectors are not permanent. The hem protectors may be removed by simply peeling them from along the edges of the trouser legs, which will release the temporary hems. Unlike with removing sewn hems, removing the hem protectors does not risk damaging the trouser legs. This allows the user to add and remove temporary hems as frequently as desired. For example, the user may change the length of the trouser legs depending on the shoes the wearer is wearing (e.g., high heels, flats, sandals, boots, and the like). 
     The hem protector  101  may be used to cover, mask, and/or hide an unsightly, stained, damaged, soiled, and/or frayed hem. In this manner, the hem protector  101  may make an old and ruined hem (e.g., on a leg of a pair of jeans) look like new or almost new. 
       FIG.  9    is a top view of an embodiment of an assembly or a package  200  that includes a lighted hem protector  201  and the backing  102  (see  FIGS.  1  and  6   ). The lighted hem protector  201  has an outwardly facing side  210  opposite an inwardly facing side (not shown). The outwardly facing side  210  may be substantially identical the outwardly facing side  110  (see  FIGS.  2 ,  3 ,  7 , and  8   ) of the hem protector  101  (see  FIGS.  1 - 4  and  6 - 8   ). However, unlike the outwardly facing side  110 , the outwardly facing side  210  includes one or more lighting elements  202  that illuminate the wearer’s step position, shine on the ground when the wearer is walking, and/or bring more attention to the wearer’s shoes or sneakers. Like the inwardly facing side  112  (see  FIG.  3   ), the inwardly facing side (not shown) of the lighted hem protector  201  includes the adhesive layer  114  (see  FIGS.  6  and  7   ). Thus, referring to  FIG.  8   , the lighted hem protector  201  (see  FIGS.  9 ,  11 , and  12   ) may be installed along the edge  310  of the trouser leg  300  in the same manner in which the hem protector  101  is installed along the edge  310  (discussed above). 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , the lighting element(s)  202  is/are adhered to the outwardly facing side  210  of the lighted hem protector  201 . Alternatively, the lighting element(s)  202  may be embedded in the lighted hem protector  201 . The lighting element(s)  202  may produce monochromatic or polychromatic light within the visible light spectrum. In the embodiment illustrated, the lighting element(s)  202  are implemented as a plurality of lamps or light bulbs  202 A. By way of a non-limiting example, the light bulbs  202 A may each be implemented as a light emitting diode (“LED”). The light bulbs  202 A are electronically connected (e.g., in series) to form a string or strip  203 .  FIG.  10    illustrates alternate embodiments of the strip  203  (see  FIG.  9   ) that may be used to construct the lighted hem protector  201 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , the lighting element(s)  202  are electronically connected (e.g., by one or more wires  204 ) to a battery compartment  208  with a control means (e.g., a control switch  206 ). The battery compartment  208  houses a power source  205  configured to power the light bulbs  202 A. In the embodiment illustrated, the power source  205  is implemented as one or more batteries  205 A and  205 B that are ideally commercially available to a general consumer. By way of non-limiting examples, the one or more batteries  205 A and  205 B may include one or more cylindrically-shaped alkaline batteries (e.g. size AA, size AAA, and the like) and/or one or more coin-type lithium batteries (e.g. a CR-type battery). The battery compartment  208  may be affixed to the trouser leg  300  (see  FIGS.  5 ,  7 ,  8 ,  11 , and  12   ) and/or the lighted hem protector  201  with, for example, fasteners, adhesive, latches, hinges, welding techniques, or any other method known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the battery compartment  208  may be affixed to the interior side  324  (see  FIG.  11   ) of the fabric of the trouser leg  300 . 
     The control means (e.g., the control switch  206 ) is configured to control the power source  205  to thereby cause the lighting element(s)  202  to activate (or turn on) and deactivate (or shut off). Optionally, the control means (e.g., the control switch  206 ) may cause the lighting element(s)  202  to light intermittently (e.g., blink) according to a programmed pattern. The control means may be a physical switch, a toggle, or a button that a user may operate. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  9   , the control means may be implemented as the control switch  206 , which is positioned directly on the housing of the battery compartment  208 . The control switch  206  may be manually operable. In such embodiments, the control switch  206  is manually transitionable from an on position to an off position and vice versa. The control switch  206  activates the lighting element(s)  202  when the control switch  206  is in the on position and deactivates the lighting element(s)  202  when the control switch  206  is in the off position. 
     Alternatively, the control means may be wireless and may communicate with the battery compartment  208  wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth, WiFi, or another communication protocol that uses radio waves). Such a wireless control may be configured to instruct the power source  205  when to supply power to the lighting element(s)  202 , which causes the lighting element(s)  202  to generate light. The wireless control may also be configured to instruct the power source  205  when to stop supplying power to the lighting element(s)  202 , which causes the lighting element(s)  202  not to generate light. 
       FIG.  12    depicts illumination  220  provided by the hidden and battery operated lighting element(s)  202  when the lighted hem protector  201  is installed along the edge  310  (see  FIG.  7   ) with the lighting element(s)  202  positioned on the inside of the trouser leg  300  of the trousers  320 . In some embodiments, the inwardly facing side (not shown) and/or the outwardly facing side  210  (see  FIG.  9   ) of the lighted hem protector  201  may have a reflective coating (not shown) that prevents light from penetrating or shining through the lighted hem protector  201 . A reflective tape (not shown) may be applied between the outwardly facing side  210  (see  FIG.  9   ) and the lighting element(s)  202  to prevent light generated by the lighting element(s)  202  from illuminating the trouser leg  300 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , the hem protector  101  and the lighted hem protector  201  (see  FIGS.  9 ,  11 , and  12   ) may each be used to hide a torn, frayed, stained, ruined, old, and/or damaged hem along the bottom of the leg  300  of the trousers  320  (see  FIG.  12   ). The hem protector  101  and the lighted hem protector  201  (see  FIGS.  9 ,  11 , and  12   ) may each be used to cover a hem with colorful and/or decorative designs. A pair of hem protectors each like the hem protector  101  or the lighted hem protector  201  (see  FIGS.  9 ,  11 , and  12   ) may be used to make the trousers  320  (see  FIG.  12   ), such as a pair of jeans, look like new again. The pair of hem protectors may be colorful or colored (e.g., with a plain blue denim color) to match the trousers  320  (see  FIG.  12   ). For example, when the pair of hem protectors are colored and/or patterned to resemble blue denim, the hem protectors are not noticeable on a pair of jeans because the hem protectors are the same color as the jeans. 
     A pair of hem protectors each like the hem protector  101  or the lighted hem protector  201  (see  FIGS.  9 ,  11 , and  12   ) may be used to help keep a new pair of jeans looking new a lot longer than if the hem protectors were not used. Without the hem protectors, the hems along the bottom of the legs of the jeans will get soiled, wet, dirty, torn, stained, and frayed. In other words, when installed on the hems along the bottom of the legs of the jeans, the pair of hem protectors help keep the jeans looking new and clean longer. This may be particularly desirable for light or white colored jeans. Jeans can be expensive and the hem protectors can be used to preserve and protect them. The hem protectors may be constructed in different colors shades and/or with glitter. The hem protectors may sparkle or be clear. As discussed above, the hem protectors may be invisible when installed on the trousers  320  (see  FIG.  12   ). Quotes and/or catch phrases may be printed on the hem protectors. 
     A pair of hem protectors each like the hem protector  101  or the lighted hem protector  201  (see  FIGS.  9 ,  11 , and  12   ) may be used to temporarily hem up and shorten the lengths of the legs of the trousers  320  (see  FIG.  12   ). This avoids the need for expensive and permanent alterations by a seamstress. Further, the pair of hem protectors may be used to temporarily shorten the legs of the trousers  320  (see  FIG.  12   ) to desired lengths when the wearer is wearing sneakers or flats. Then, the pair of hem protectors may be removed when the wearer is wearing shoes with high heels and there is no need to shorten the lengths of the legs of the trousers  320  (see  FIG.  12   ). 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , the lighted hem protector  201  may include the strip  203  of the light bulbs  202 A (e.g., LEDs) that are powered by the power source  205  (e.g., the batteries  205 A and  205 B). Referring to  FIG.  12   , when the lighted hem protector  201  is installed on the leg  300  and the strip  203  (see  FIG.  9   ) is illuminated, the strip  203  is hidden inside the leg  300  and sheds light (e.g., the illumination  220 ) on the wearer’s walkway. A pair of lighted hem protectors each like the lighted hem protector  201  may be used to shine light on the wearer’s shoes (e.g., high heels). The pair of lighted hem protectors may be used to create an illuminated lampshade effect with respect to the trousers  320  (e.g., a pair of jeans) because the illumination  220  originates from inside the legs of the trousers  320  and escapes through the openings (e.g., the opening  312  illustrated in  FIG.  11   ) at the bottom of the legs of the trousers  320 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , the hem protector  101  and the lighted hem protector  201  (see  FIGS.  9 ,  11 , and  12   ) may each be non-permanent and/or disposable. Thus, referring to  FIG.  7   , a used (e.g., old and/or dirty) hem protector may be removed from the edge  310  and thrown away. Then, a new hem protector may be peeled from the backing  102  (see  FIGS.  1  and  6   ) and stuck onto the edge  310  to protect the covered portion of the edge  310  as described above. Alternatively, the hem protector  101  and/or the lighted hem protector  201  (see  FIGS.  9 ,  11 , and  12   ) may be configured to be affixed to the edge  310  permanently. 
     Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility). 
     It is to be understood that the present disclosure of the invention includes all possible combinations of the features disclosed and/or illustrated in the drawings. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular embodiment, that particular feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with other embodiments. 
     The foregoing described embodiments depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). 
     Conjunctive language, such as phrases of the form “at least one of A, B, and C,” or “at least one of A, B and C,” (i.e., the same phrase with or without the Oxford comma) unless specifically stated otherwise or otherwise clearly contradicted by context, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either A or B or C, any nonempty subset of the set of A and B and C, or any set not contradicted by context or otherwise excluded that contains at least one A, at least one B, or at least one C. For instance, in the illustrative example of a set having three members, the conjunctive phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” and “at least one of A, B and C” refer to any of the following sets: {A}, {B}, {C}, {A, B}, {A, C}, {B, C}, {A, B, C}, and, if not contradicted explicitly or by context, any set having {A}, {B}, and/or {C} as a subset (e.g., sets with multiple “A”). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C each to be present. Similarly, phrases such as “at least one of A, B, or C” and “at least one of A, B or C” refer to the same as “at least one of A, B, and C” and “at least one of A, B and C” refer to any of the following sets: {A}, {B}, {C}, {A, B}, {A, C}, {B, C}, {A, B, C}, unless differing meaning is explicitly stated or clear from context. 
     Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.