Patent Publication Number: US-2022211242-A1

Title: Rinse Bucket for Floor Mop

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This patent disclosure relates generally to buckets and, more particularly to buckets for rinsing cleaning devices such as mops. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Floor mops are often used in conjunction with a bucket containing rinsing fluid, such as water and/or cleaning fluid for replenishing moisture on the mop head or rinsing the mop head. After applying the mop head to a surface to be cleaned, however, placement of the mop head back into the rinsing fluid provides a contamination with dirt removed from the cleaned surface. Repeated insertions in the rinsing fluid and usage on a surface to be cleaned enhances the level of dirt in the rinsing fluid, and may diminish the ability of the system to clean a surface. Emptying of the bucket to obtain clean rinsing fluid atmosphere may be inconvenient and time consuming. Emptying of the bucket to obtain clean rinsing fluid additionally increases water consumption, and may increase cleaning fluid consumption. 
     The Embell System is a bucket system that provides a bucket having two separate chambers for receiving the mop head. A rinsing fluid valve is actuated to measure out a predetermined amount of rinsing fluid into a first chamber for each rinse of the mop head. After the mop head is rinsed in the first chamber, the rinsed mop head is placed into a second chamber where the mop head is squeezed to dry the mop head before it is applied to a subsequent surface. Squeezing the mop head separates excess rinsing water from the mop head, the extracted rinsing water automatically draining into a dirty water tank. As the mop head is squeezed in the second chamber, the force likewise is applied to open a drain in the first chamber to discard any remaining rinsing fluid in the first chamber. As the mop head is removed from the second chamber, the operator may use the mop handle to actuate the clean water valve adjacent the second chamber to again measure a predetermined amount of rinsing water into the first chamber. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a bucket assembly for use with a mop having a mop head. The bucket assembly includes an inner bucket assembly and an outer bucket assembly. The inner bucket assembly includes a rinse bucket, a first reservoir, a fluid connection between the rinse bucket and the first reservoir, and at least one closure element disposed at the fluid connection and movable between an open position and a closed position. The inner bucket may include a fill hole and a plug. The first reservoir is optionally otherwise sealed when the at least one closure element is in the open position. The outer bucket assembly includes an outer bucket peripheral wall extending from an outer bucket base to form a second reservoir. The inner bucket is disposed at least partially within the second reservoir. A drainage channel is fluidly connected to the second reservoir. The drainage channel formed by at least one of the inner bucket assembly, the outer bucket assembly, and the inner bucket assembly and the outer bucket assembly. 
     The disclosure describes in another aspect, a bucket assembly for use with a mop having a mop head, the bucket assembly including an inner bucket assembly and an outer bucket assembly having first and second reservoirs. The outer bucket assembly includes an outer bucket peripheral wall extending from an outer bucket base to form the second reservoir, the inner bucket being disposed at least partially within the second reservoir. The inner bucket assembly includes a first inner bucket element and a second inner bucket element. The first inner bucket element forms a rinse bucket, and the first reservoir is formed between the first inner bucket element and the second inner bucket element. A fluid connection is disposed between the rinse bucket and the first reservoir, and at least one closure element is disposed at the fluid connection and movable between an open position and a closed position. A drainage channel is at least partially formed by the inner bucket assembly, and is fluidly connected to the second reservoir. A plurality of welds is provided between the first inner bucket element and the second inner bucket element including a first weld between the first circumferentially about the rinse bucket, a second weld circumferentially about the drainage channel, and a third weld about peripheries of both the first inner bucket element and the second inner bucket element. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the top and front of a bucket assembly and exemplary fragmentary mop head according to aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the bucket assembly and exemplary fragmentary mop head of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the bucket assembly and exemplary fragmentary mop head of  FIG. 1  with the closure element between the first reservoir and the rinse bucket in a closed position. 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the bucket assembly and exemplary fragmentary mop head of  FIG. 1  with the closure element between the first reservoir and the rinse bucket in a closed position. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged, fragmentary, isometric view of an end of an embodiment of the closure element of  FIGS. 1-3B . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a closure element and a rinse bucket according to teachings of this disclosure and wherein the closure element is in a closed position relative to a fluid connection. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the closure element and rinse bucket of  FIG. 5  wherein the closure element is in an open position relative to a fluid connection. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the closure element and rinse bucket wherein the closure element is in a closed position relative to a fluid connection, as in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a wringer assembly of the bucket assembly according to an optional feature of the mop bucket assembly of  FIGS. 1-3B . 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric fragmentary view of the wringer assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged, fragmentary, isometric view of an embodiment of a clip for a receiving a mop handle according to teachings of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a bucket assembly according to aspects of this disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure relates to a bucket assembly  10  for use with a mop. While the mop is not specifically illustrated, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the mop would have a shaft and a mop head that typically includes one or more absorbent structures. An exemplary interior of a representative mop head  100  is illustrated in the figures as a generally triangular structure, explained in greater detail below. Referring to the embodiment of the bucket assembly  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the exploded view of  FIG. 2 , and the cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the bucket assembly  10  includes an inner bucket assembly  12  received at partially in an outer bucket assembly  14 , and presents a rinse bucket  16  for rinsing a mop head, and a drainage channel  18  for receiving excess fluid from the mop head. 
     The inner bucket assembly  12  includes the rinse bucket  16 , as well as a first reservoir  20  that is fluid couplable to the rinse bucket  16  by a fluid connection  22 . The inner bucket assembly  12  may also include a fill opening  24  that opens into the first reservoir  20 , and a plug  26  sized to seal the fill opening  24 . While an alternative design may be provided, in the illustrated embodiment, the plug  26  is coupled with the inner bucket assembly  12  by way of an arm  28  the may be coupled to the inner bucket assembly  12  by way of an engaging structure such as a rivet  30  or the like. The first reservoir  20  may be utilized to hold a rinse fluid for provision to the rinse bucket  16  so that a mop head may be placed in the rinse bucket  16  for contact with the rinse fluid. The rinse fluid may be any appropriate fluid, such as water, water with a cleaning solution, or another cleaning solution. 
     The fluid connection  22  may be selectively opened and closed by way of at least one closure element  32 . While an alternative arrangement may be provided, in the illustrated embodiment, the closure element  32  is an elongated structure  34  that is slidably received in an elongated recess  36  that is flanked on either side by flanges  38 . In order to facilitate movement by an operator, the closure element  32  includes a handle or tab  40  at its upper end. The inner bucket assembly  12  may likewise include a depression or recess  42  disposed substantially adjacent the tab  40  in assembly. The recess  42  may allow an operator to easily grasp the tab  40  and slide the elongated structure  34  of the closure element  32  within the elongated recess  36  in order to selectively open and close the fluid connection  22 . 
     In order to allow flow from the first reservoir  20  to the rinse bucket  16 , the closure element  32  may be moved from the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 3A , to the open position illustrated in  FIG. 3B . As the closure element  32  moves from the closed position ( FIG. 3A ) to the open position ( FIG. 3B ), the fluid connection  22  between the first reservoir  20  and the rinse bucket  16  is progressively opened. Conversely, as the closure element  32  moves from the open position to the closed position, the fluid connection  22  between the first reservoir  20  and the rinse bucket  16  is progressively closed. 
     The inner bucket assembly  12  may further include one or more detents or other mechanisms by which may facilitate retention of the closure element  32  in a particular position relative to the fluid connection  22  and the elongated recess  36 . For example, a number of protrusions and/or recesses may be provided along the closure element  32  and the rinse bucket  16 . The engagement of the protrusions with the recesses, as well as other surfaces may provide detents that facilitate maintenance of the closure element  32  in a particular position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-7 , in at least one embodiment, the closure element  32  may include one or more protrusions  152 ,  154 ,  156  and recesses  164 , and the rinse bucket  16  may include one or more protrusions  160  and recesses  162 . More specifically, protrusion  152  may be located along the closure element  32  such that it abuts an edge of the fluid connection  22  when the closure element  32  is disposed in a closed position (see  FIGS. 3A, 5 and 7 ). In this way, the disposition of the protrusion  152  against the edge of the fluid connection  22  as well as the distal end of the closure element  32  abutting a surface of the rinse bucket  16  acts to retain the closure element  32  in the closed position, inhibiting flow through the fluid connection  22 . 
     According to another aspect of the illustrated embodiment, a protrusion  160  may be formed in the rinse bucket  16 , while the closure element  32  may include protrusions  154 ,  156  forming recess  164  therebetween. While the protrusion  160  of the rinse bucket  16  is disposed proximal to an edge of the fluid connection  22  in the embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , protrusion may alternatively be spaced away from the edge. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , when the closure element  32  is disposed in the open position, the protrusions  154 ,  156  of the closure element  32  are disposed about the protrusion  160  of the rinse bucket  16 . That is, the protrusion  160  of the rinse bucket  16  is disposed within the recess  164  formed between the protrusions  154 ,  156  of the closure element  32  to facilitate retention of the closure element  32  in the open position relative to the fluid connection  22 . 
     In order to enhance the engagement of the positional detents, one or more biasing elements may be provided. That is, such biasing elements may be provided to facilitate the engagement of the protrusion  152  of the closure element  32  abutting an edge of the fluid connection  22  when the closure element  32  is disposed in a closed position, and/or the engagement of the protrusion  160  of the rinse bucket  16  within the recess  164  formed between the protrusions  154 ,  156  of the closure element  32 . While alternative biasing elements such as, for example, springs may be provided, in the illustrated embodiment, the biasing elements are in the form of one or more ramped surfaces  158 ,  166 . As may be seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the flanges  38  on either side of the elongated recess  36  in which the closure element  32  is slidably disposed may include a ramp  166 . In this way, as the closure element  32  moves from the open position to the closed position, the ramp  166  biases the distal end of the closure element  32  toward the fluid connection  22  through the rinse bucket peripheral wall  44 , causing the protrusion  152  to be disposed within the fluid connection  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the protrusion  152  is disposed abutting the edge of the fluid connection  22  and the protrusion  160  of the rinse bucket peripheral wall  44  to bias the closure element  32  into the closed position. 
     As may be seen in  FIGS. 4-6 , the closure element  32  may alternatively or additionally include a ramped surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusions  154 ,  156  are disposed along a ramped surface  158  of the closure element  32 . While the ramped surface  158  extends partially across the lateral face of the closure element  32 , it will be appreciated that the ramped surface  158  may alternatively extend across a greater portion of the lateral face of the closure element  32 . As the closure element  32  is advanced from the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 5  to the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the protrusion  160  of the rinse bucket peripheral wall  44  rides along the ramped surface  158 . In this way, with a slight force, the protrusion  154  may be moved over the protrusion  160 , allowing the protrusion  160  to be positioned in the recess  164  between the protrusions  154 ,  156 . It will be appreciated that the protrusion  156  may include a distal ramped surface  168  that may facilitate initial assembly of the closure element  32  in the elongated recess  36 . 
     While the illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of protrusions and recesses are located in exemplary positions on the closure element  32  and the peripheral wall  44 , those of skill in the art will appreciate that one or more such detents may alternatively be located to define detent position. Alternatively, or additionally, separate structures may be provided. 
     It will also be appreciated that additional guidance structures may be provided. By way of example only, an end of the closure element  32  proximal the handle or tab  40  and the adjacent rinse bucket peripheral wall  44  may be provided with a keyed structure. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the closure element  32  is provided with a protruding key  180 , while the elongated recess  36  within the rinse bucket peripheral wall  44  may include an elongated slot  182 . In this way, the protruding key  180  may slide within the elongated slot  182 , guiding the movement of the closure element  32  within the elongated recess  36 . Alternative arrangements for guiding the movement of the closure element  32  within the elongated recess  36  are envisioned by this disclosure. For example, the protruding key  180  and elongated slot  182  or other guiding structure may be alternatively placed, and/or the elongated recess  36  may include a protruding key, and the closure element  32  include an elongated slot receiving protruding key. Further the protruding key  180  may include a bulbous structure and the elongated slot  182  and engaging structure such that the protruding key  180  may slide longitudinally within the elongated slot  182 , but lateral movement of the closure element  32  as well as movement of the closure element  32  at a right angle to the elongated slot  182  and elongated recess  36  are inhibited. 
     Those of skill in the art will appreciate that, while the at least one closure element  32  is illustrated as a sliding structure, the closure element may have an alternative structure. By way of example only, the closure element may be a pivoting element or a rotating element. The closure element may be movable to open the fluid connection  22  to varying degrees to allow, for example, varied levels of rinse fluid within the rinse bucket  16 . 
     According to an aspect of this disclosure, the first reservoir  20  may be sealed chamber such that movement of the closure element  32  to the open position allow air into the first reservoir  20  to permit a flow of rinse fluid into the rinse bucket  16  through the fluid connection  22 . In this way, the position of the fluid connection  22  within the rinse bucket  16 , as well as the degree to which the closure element  32  is opened will dictate the level to which the rinse fluid will rise within the rinse bucket  16 . Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the rinse fluid will enter the rinse bucket  16  only to the level to which the fluid connection  22  is opened. As a result, when the fluid connection  22  is maintained in an open position, clean rinse fluid will flow into the rinse bucket  16  each time the rinse fluid level in the rinse bucket  16  falls below the level to which the fluid connection  22  is opened. This automatic replenishment of the rinse fluid within the rinse bucket  16  may allow an operator more quickly and efficiently mop a surface. 
     The rinse bucket  16  may be of any appropriate shape and design. In the illustrated embodiment, the rinse bucket  16  includes a rinse bucket peripheral wall  44  extending from a rinse bucket base  46 . The rinse bucket base  46  may include one or more protrusions  48  into the interior of the rinse bucket  16 . The one or more protrusions  48  may be used as a base against which a pressure may be applied to the mop head during rinsing. Alternative designs are envisioned. While not illustrated, for example, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the rinse bucket  16  may be provided actuable drain holes. For example, depression of a spring-loaded center protrusion (not illustrated) may be used to open drain holes in the rinse bucket base  46  to allow selective drainage from the rinse bucket  16 . 
     It will be appreciated that rinse fluid applied to the mop head in the rinse bucket  16  may be used in cleaning dirt and undesirable matter (collectively referred to as “dirt”) from the mop head. The outer bucket assembly  14  includes an outer bucket peripheral wall  50  that extends from an outer bucket base  52  to form a second reservoir  54  for collection of rinse fluid and dirt from the mop head. In order to separate excess rinse fluid with dirt from the mop head, the drainage channel  18  that drains to a second reservoir  54  in the outer bucket assembly  14  is provided. While the drainage channel  18  may be formed by either the inner bucket assembly  12  or the outer bucket assembly  14 , in the illustrated embodiment, the drainage channel  18  is formed by a combination of the inner and outer bucket assemblies  12 ,  14 . That is, the inner bucket assembly  12  includes a first, tubular portion  62  of the drainage channel  18 , with the outer bucket assembly  14  forming a partial bottom surface  64  of the drainage channel  18 , a passage  66  between the inner and outer bucket assemblies  12 ,  14 , allowing the flow of expelled fluid to the second reservoir  54 . Thus, the separation of the drainage channel  18  from the outer bucket base  52  allows expelled fluid to flow to the second reservoir  54 . 
     In order to facilitate expulsion of fluid from the mop head within the drainage channel  18 , a wringer assembly  70  may be provided (see also FIGS. and  9 ). While an alternative arrangement may be utilized, in the illustrated embodiment, the wringer assembly  70  includes a rotating element  72  that extends into the drainage channel  18  and disposed to rotate a mop head disposed within the drainage channel  18 , the rotating element  72  defining a central spin axis  74 . While the rotating element  72  may directly engage the mop head in some designs, a cage or basket  76  may be engaged with the rotating element  72  and at least partially disposed within the drainage channel  18 . In this way, rotation of the rotating element  72  and the basket  76  will rotate a received mop head to expel fluid outwards into the drainage channel  18  and/or the second reservoir  54 . 
     In order to provide selective rotation to the rotating element  72 , an actuating assembly  78  may be provided. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the rotating element  72  may extend through the outer bucket assembly  14  and into the drainage channel  18 , allowing the actuating assembly  78  to be disposed outside of the outer bucket assembly  14 . The actuating assembly  78  may include a gear assembly  80  and an arm  82  pivotably disposed to engage the gear assembly  80  and pivotably mounted relative to axis  84 . One end of the arm  82  includes teeth  86 , while the opposite end of the arm  82  acts as a foot pedal  88  for depression by the operator&#39;s foot to actuate the gear assembly  80  and rotate the rotating element  72 , and basket  76 , if provided. That is, the arm  82  and foot pedal  88  are pivotably coupled to a wringer assembly base  89  at axis  84 . The wringer assembly base  89  may be coupled with the outer bucket assembly  14  with the rotating element  72  extending into the interior of the outer bucket assembly  14 . An appropriate seal may be provided between the rotating element  72  and the outer bucket assembly  14 . 
     As may be seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the teeth  86  of the arm  82  are engaged with pinion gear  90 , which is secured with gear  92  along axis  94 . Gear  92  includes axially oriented teeth  96 , which are rotatably engaged with pinion gear  98 . Pinion gear  98  is secured with the rotating element  72 , such that depression of the foot pedal  88  causes a rotation of the rotating element  72 . 
     An exemplary fragment of a mop head  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B . In this exemplary embodiment, a mop shaft (not illustrated may be attached to a mop head base  102  at a coupling element  104 , or other appropriate structure. A fibrous mop portion (not illustrated) may be attached between a mop head base  102  and a retaining element  106 . In this embodiment, the mop head  100  has a generally triangular structure, and may include a recess  108  formed, for example, by the retaining element  106 . 
     As may be seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the cage or basket  76  may include a basket base  110  having a domed structure  111  extending into the interior of the basket  76 , the rotating element  72  being received in the domed structure  111  of the basket base  110 . In an arrangement where the mop head  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B , the domed structure of the basket base  110  may be at least partially received within the recess  108 . In this way, rotation of the basket  76  causes a rotation of the mop head  100 . 
     While the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3B and 8-9  includes a wringer assembly  70 , those of skill in the art will appreciate that a bucket assembly may alternatively include a cage or basket of an alternatively design, or a cage or basket that does not rotate. In yet another embodiment, the bucket assembly  112  may include no cage or basket, such as is illustrated in  FIG. 11 , for example. 
     In order to facilitate transport of the bucket assembly  10 , a handle  114  may be provided (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The illustrated handle  114  may be attached at pivot points  116  at either side of the bucket assembly  10 , here, at either side of the outer bucket assembly  14 . In at least one embodiment, the handle  114  includes a clip  118  for releasably receiving the shaft or rod (not illustrated) of a mop. It will be appreciated that the clip may have any appropriate structure. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the clip  118  may include a cradle  172  for removably receiving a shaft of a mop, fingers  174  being disposed about the shaft. The clip  118  may include a cavity  176  that provides an additional level of flexibility to the cradle  172  and fingers  174  of the clip  118 . In this way, the clip may be utilized with various diameters of a shaft of a mop. 
     It will further be appreciated that the inner bucket assembly  12  may be separable from the outer bucket assembly  14  in order to facilitate filling of the first reservoir  20 , and emptying of the second reservoir  54 . To facilitate emptying of the second reservoir  54 , the outer bucket assembly  14  may include a pour spout  120 . The pour spout  120  may be spaced from the inner bucket assembly  12  when the inner and outer bucket assemblies  12 ,  14  are assembled together such that the second reservoir  54  may be readily emptied whether or not the components are assembled together. 
     To facilitate handling of the inner bucket assembly  12  when it is separated from the outer bucket assembly  14 , the inner bucket assembly  12  may include flanges  122  on either side of the inner bucket assembly  12  that allow an operator to readily grasp the inner bucket assembly  12  for separation from the outer bucket assembly  14  or carrying for filling. The inner bucket assembly  12  may additionally include one or more legs  124 ,  126  that along with the rinse bucket base  46 , may be used to stabilize the inner bucket assembly  12  on a surface. The legs  124 ,  126  may additionally engage structure of the outer bucket assembly  14  in some embodiments. 
     The inner and outer bucket assemblies  12 ,  14  may be fabricated from any suitable material and by any suitable method. For example, the assemblies  12 ,  14  may be formed from a polymeric material, with or without fillers, and may be molded, such as by injection or blow molding. By way of further example, the assemblies  12 ,  14  may be 3D printed. 
     Further, the inner and outer bucket assemblies  12 ,  14  may be formed of single or multiple pieces and then assembled by an appropriate method. For example, the inner bucket assembly may include a first inner bucket element  130  and a second inner bucket element  132 . In this way, the first reservoir  20  may be formed of the first inner bucket element  130 , the second inner bucket element  132 , or a combination of the first and second inner bucket elements  130 ,  132 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first inner bucket element  130  includes the rinse bucket  16 , while the second inner bucket element  132  includes at least a portion of the drainage channel  18 , the first reservoir  20  being formed between the first and second inner bucket elements  130 ,  132 , although varied structures are envisioned under this disclosure. As may be seen in  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, at least a portion of the first inner bucket element  130 , here, the rinse bucket  16 , may be received within and/or through the second inner bucket element  132 . 
     One or more welds or other appropriate sealing mechanisms may be provided between the first and second inner bucket elements  130 ,  132  in order to provide a sealed first reservoir  20 . For example, a first weld  134  may be provided circumferentially about the rinse bucket  16 , a second weld  136  may be provided circumferentially about the drainage channel  18  and a third weld  138  may be provided about the peripheries of both the first and second inner bucket elements  130 ,  132 . 
     Industrial Applicability 
     The present disclosure is applicable to a mop bucket assembly  10  that may enhance cleaning of surfaces, by providing a ready supply of rinse fluid and facilitate efficient mopping of surfaces. By maintaining the closure element  32  in an open position, a continual supply of rinse fluid may be provided to the rinse bucket  16 . Inasmuch as the first reservoir  20  may be otherwise sealed, the level of rinse fluid within the rinse bucket  16  will rise only to the level of the fluid connection  22  between the first reservoir  20  and the rinse bucket  16 . 
     At least some embodiment of the mop bucket assembly  10  may be readily and economically fabricated and yield a reliable and durable mop bucket assembly  10 . 
     It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. 
     Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.