Patent Publication Number: US-2017354575-A1

Title: System and device for supporting a food dispenser and uses thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/349,581 filed on Jun. 13, 2016, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and devices for supporting a food dispenser. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Feeding tubes are vital for the survival and recovery of patients who are unable to eat orally or receive proper nutrition by swallowing. In such conditions, food, interchangeably referred to as nutrition, is directly fed to the patients by means of a food dispenser attached to a feeding tube going into their stomach or small intestines, usually regulated and administered by gravity. 
     There are several support systems in the art for holding gravity food dispensers. A gravity food dispenser can be in the form of a syringe, bag or like feed container attached to a feeding tube, which is then secured and positioned at a certain height designating the rate for feeding a patient. If a feed is administered at a high rate, it can result in vomiting, thereby causing pain and discomfort to the patient. Generally, while administering the feed, syringe, bag or like feed container is hung by an adhesive tape to a stationary object or piece of equipment. When the adhesive tape is removed, often a sticky residue is left behind on the object and/or the equipment. The sticky residue may aid in the collection and growth of bacteria and germs. The germs or bacteria can further lead to transmission of various diseases and illness to the patient or those in the vicinity of the patient. In some instances, the feeding tubes are held manually by medical personnel or any other person for the duration of the feed for upwards of 45-60 minutes, which further causes discomfort to the patient due to inconsistent height and fatigue to those individuals holding the feeding device. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for support systems that provide sanitary conditions during nutritional administration. 
     There is a further need for support systems that can hold or secure a food dispenser while maintaining a consistent rate of feeding to eliminate feeds being administered too quickly, and thereby relieving patients of discomfort and vomiting associated with rapid feeds. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a support system for supporting a food dispenser, the support system including an adjustable gravity strap that can be secured to a stationary item or a patient allowing for hands free administration. 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a support system for supporting a food dispenser, the support system including an adjustable gravity strap that aids in retaining the food dispenser at a desired height, which eliminates food and nutrition, including but not limited to fluids, hydration and medication, being administered too quickly and relieves a patient of discomfort and vomiting associated with rapid feedings. 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a support system for supporting a food dispenser, the support system including an adjustable gravity strap that reduces the exposure to bacteria and germs during feedings as the food dispenser is no longer taped to stationary items, such as cribs or chairs. The support system may therefore eliminate residues left behind by removal of the tape that can otherwise act as breeding grounds for bacteria. 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a support system for supporting a food dispenser, the support system including an adjustable gravity strap that is substantially latex free. 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a support system for supporting a food dispenser, the support system including an adjustable gravity strap that is washable and re-usable. 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a support system for supporting a food dispenser, the support system including an adjustable gravity strap that is disposable. 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a device for supporting a food dispenser. The device includes a strap. The strap includes a first end, and a second end opposite to the first end. The strap also includes a plurality of openings disposed between the first end and the second end. The strap further includes a plurality of markings corresponding to the plurality of openings, each of the plurality of markings being indicative of a distance of the corresponding opening from the first end or the second end. The device further includes a retaining member detachably secured within one of the plurality of openings. The retaining member is configured to secure the food dispenser to the strap. 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention are directed to a system for supporting a food dispenser, the system including a stand and a strap. The strap includes a first portion detachably coupled to the stand. The first portion includes a first end of the strap. The strap also includes a second portion spaced apart from the first portion. The second portion includes a second end of the strap. The strap further includes a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The third portion includes a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other. The third portion also includes a plurality of markings corresponding to the plurality of openings. Each of the plurality of markings is indicative of a distance of the corresponding opening from the first end of the strap or the second end of the strap. The system also includes a retaining member detachably secured within one of the plurality of openings, wherein the retaining member is configured to secure the food dispenser to the strap. 
     Embodiments in accordance with the present invention are further directed to a device for supporting a food dispenser. The device includes a strap including a first elongate member. The strap also includes a second elongate member attached to the first elongate member at a plurality of attachment regions spaced apart from each other. The first elongate member and the second elongate member define a plurality of openings therebetween. Further, each of the plurality of openings is located between two adjacent attachment regions. The strap further includes a plurality of markings corresponding to the plurality of openings. Each of the plurality of the markings is indicative of a distance of the corresponding opening from a first end of the strap or a second end of the strap. The device also includes a retaining member detachably secured within one of the plurality of openings. The retaining member is configured to secure the food dispenser to the strap. 
     These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein. 
     The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, explain the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a system for supporting a food dispenser, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of a strap, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the system for supporting a food dispenser, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a food dispenser secured to a strap, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a method of supporting a food dispenser, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     
    
    
     While embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein by way of example using several illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood the drawings and the detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the form disclosed, but to the contrary, the present disclosure is to cover all modification, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
     The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated below in conjunction with exemplary configurations of a system and a device for supporting a food dispenser. 
     The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. 
     The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. 
     The term “IV pole” refers to poles which have hooks to support intravenous (IV) equipment. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a support system  100  (hereinafter referred to as “the system  100 ”) for supporting a food dispenser (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system  100  includes a device  102  including an adjustable gravity strap  104  (hereinafter referred to as “the strap  104 ”) and a detachable retaining member  105  (hereinafter referred to as “the retaining member  105 ”).  FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the strap  104 . 
     The strap  104  is configured to support the food dispenser at a predetermined height. In some embodiments, the food dispenser can include, but not limited to, a syringe, a feeding tube, a feeding bag, a feeding pouch, and the like. The predetermined height can be a height of the food dispenser with reference to a ground surface, a patient, or an article on which the patient is resting, for example, the patient&#39;s bed, chair, and the like. In another embodiment, the predetermined height may be a height of the food dispenser relative to the patient&#39;s stomach. The predetermined height may determine the rate of feeding, i.e., the rate at which the food or nutrition is provided to the patient. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the strap  104  includes a first end  106  and a second end  108  opposite to the first end  106 . The first and second ends  106 ,  108  are longitudinal ends of the strap  104 . Further, the strap  104  includes a first portion  110 , a second portion  112  spaced apart from the first portion  110 , and a third portion  114  disposed between the first portion  110  and the second portion  112 . The first portion  110  includes the first end  106  of the strap  104 , while the second portion  112  includes the second end  108  of the strap  104 . In some embodiments, the first portion  110  may be detachably coupled to a stand  116 . In an embodiment, the stand  116  is an IV pole. In some embodiments, the stand  116  may include a pole  118 , a base (not shown) with one or more legs and a hanger  120 . The pole  118  may have a telescoping structure which permits height adjustment of the stand  116 . The stand  116  may also be secured to a structure, such as a bed, a stretcher, a wheelchair, or a table. In some embodiments, the first portion  110  may include two strips which are tied together with the hanger  120  of the stand  116 . In some other embodiments, the first portion  110  may be detachably coupled to the stand  116  using any suitable fastening means such as, but not limited to, a Velcro strap, a twisted tie, and so forth. In alternative embodiments, the first portion  110  of the strap  104  may be detachably secured to a body part of the patient. In an example, the first portion  110  may be secured to a finger of the patient. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the third portion  114  includes multiple openings  122  spaced apart from each other along a length of the third portion  114 . In some embodiments, the openings  122  may be equally spaced from each other by a distance ‘D’. In some other embodiments, the openings  122  may be unequally spaced along the third portion  114 . The third portion  114  further includes multiple markings  124  corresponding to the multiple openings  122 . The markings  124  may be printed on the strap  104  by any suitable method such as, but not limited to, jet printing. In some other embodiments, the markings  124  may embossed on the strap  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, the markings  124  are numbers. In some other embodiments, the markings  124  may include characters, symbols, or a combination thereof. Further, each of the markings  124  is indicative of a distance or height of the corresponding opening  122  relative to a reference point. Specifically, when the strap  104  is suspended from an object, each of the markings  124  may indicate a height of the corresponding opening  122  from the reference point. In some embodiments, the reference point may be the first end  106  of the strap  104 . In other embodiments, the reference point may be the second end  108  of the strap  104 . In yet other embodiments, the reference point may be a ground surface, a part of the patient&#39;s body, or an article on which the patient is resting, for example, the patient&#39;s bed, chair, and the like. In some embodiments, the distance indicated by the each of the markings  124  may be defined in any suitable unit such as, but not limited to, inches, centimeters, millimeters and so forth. In another embodiment, each of the markings  124  is a number that may indicate a distance in inches from the second end  108  of the strap  104 . Therefore, when the strap  104  is suspended from an object, each of the markings  124  may indicate a height of the corresponding opening  122  from the second end  108  of the strap  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the strap  104  includes a first elongate member  126  and a second elongate member  128 . The first elongate member  126  includes a first end  130  and a second end  132  opposite to the first end  130 . In an embodiment, the first end  130  of the first elongate member  126  may coincide with the first end  106  of the strap  104 . The second end  132  of the first elongate member  126  may similarly coincide with the second end  108  of the strap  104 . The second elongate member  128  includes a first end  134 . In some embodiments, the first end  134  of the second elongate member  128  may coincide with the first end  106  of the strap  104 . Further, a second end (not shown) of the second elongate member  128  may coincide with the second end  108  of the strap  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, the first elongate member  126  may be attached to the second elongate member  128  in a manner, such that the first end  130  of the first elongate member  126  and the first end  134  of the second elongate member  128  are separated from each other. In a further embodiment, the first elongate member  126  and the second elongate member  128  may be detached or separated from each other in the first portion  110  of the strap  104 . Therefore, the separated portions of the first and the second elongate members  126 ,  128  may allow the strap  104  to be tied and secured to the stand  116 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second elongate members  126 ,  128  are tied to the hanger  120  of the stand  116  via a knot  135 . In some other embodiments, the separated first ends  130 ,  134  may be tied to a body part of the patient, or an article on which the patient is resting, for example, the patient&#39;s bed, chair, and the like. In alternative embodiments, the first end  130  of the first elongate member  126  may be attached to the first end  134  of the second elongate member  128  by any suitable attachment method, such as, but not limited to, Velcro, adhesives, sewing, snap fastener, and so forth. 
     In an embodiment, the second elongate member  128  is attached to the first elongate member  126  at multiple attachment regions  136  spaced apart from each other. The multiple attachment regions  136  may be located in the third portion  114  of the strap  104 . The second elongate member  128  may be coupled to the first elongate member  126  at the attachment regions  136  by any suitable attachment methods, such as, but not limited to, sewing, adhesive, and so forth. Further, the first elongate member  126  and the second elongate member  128  define the multiple openings  122  therebetween. Each of the openings  122  is located between two adjacent attachment regions  136 . Further, the attachment regions  136  may coincide with multiple marking lines  138 . Each of the markings  124 , that indicates the distance of the corresponding opening  122 , is located between two adjacent marking lines  138 . The markings  124  and the marking lines  138  may be printed on the first elongate member  126  and/or the second elongate member  128 . In some other embodiments, the markings  124  and the marking lines  138  may be embossed on the first elongate member  126  and/or the second elongate member  128 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, each of the markings  124  indicates a distance of the corresponding openings  122  from the second end  132  of the first elongate member  126 . In some other embodiments, each of the markings  124  indicates a distance of the corresponding opening  122  from the first end  130  of the first elongate member  126 . Alternatively, each of the markings  124  indicates a distance of the corresponding opening  122  from the first end  134  or the second end of the second elongate member  128 . 
     In an embodiment, the second end  132  of the first elongate member  126  and the second end of the second elongate member  128  are attached to each other. In a further embodiment, the first elongate member  126  and the second elongate member  128  may be attached to each other in the second portion  112  of the strap  104 . In alternative embodiments, the second end  132  of the first elongate member  126  and the second end of the second elongate member  128  are separated to each other. Specifically, the first elongate member  126  and the second elongate member  128  may be separated from each other in the second portion  112  of the strap  104 , thereby allowing the strap  104  to be secured to a fixed structure or the patient at the second end  108 . In some embodiments, the first elongate member  126  and the second elongate member  128  may have substantially equal lengths. Alternatively, the lengths of the first elongate member  126  and the second elongate member  128  may be different. 
     In some other embodiments, the strap  104  may include a single elongate member (not shown) which includes a plurality of punched holes or openings. Each of the punched holes may be located at a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance may correspond to a height of the hole with reference to a ground surface, a patient, or an article on which the patient is resting, for example, the patient&#39;s bed, chair, and the like. The single elongate member may also include a Velcro strap at the first end  106  and/or the second end  108  which allows the strap  104  to be tied or secured to a fixed structure. 
     In some embodiments, the strap  104  may be manufactured from a latex free material to prevent allergic reactions to the patient. Further, the material of the strap  104  may include foam such as, but not limited to, polyethylene foam, polyurethane foam, and the like. In some embodiments, the strap  104  is washable and re-usable. In other embodiments, the strap  104  is disposable. 
     In some embodiments, the strap  104  may be a double tie-strap. 
     The device  102  further includes the retaining member  105 . The retaining member  105  is configured to be detectably secured within one of the openings  122 . The retaining member  105  may secure the food dispenser to the strap  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, the retaining member  105  is a twist tie. The retaining member  105  may be made of metal or plastic. However, the retaining member  105  may include any type of fastener that can detachably secure the food dispenser to the strap  104 . Examples of such fasteners may include, but not restricted to, strings, clips, Velcro straps, and the like. 
     Further, the retaining member  105  may be deformed to secure food dispensers of different dimensions (e.g., diameters) to the strap  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the device  102  may include a plurality of retaining members secured within multiple openings  122  of the strap  104 . 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the retaining member  105  is disposed in the opening  122  at a central section of the third portion  114 . Specifically, the retaining member  105  is disposed in the opening  122  with the marking “11” indicating that the retaining member  105  may be located approximately at a height of 11 inches from the second end  108  of the strap  104 . However, the retaining member  105  may be disposed in any of the openings  122  depending upon a desired feeding rate of the food dispenser secured to the retaining member  105 . For example, an increase in height (e.g., 13 inches) from the second end  108  may increase the feeding rate of the food dispenser. A decrease in height (e.g., 10 inches) from the second end  108  may decrease the feeding rate. Therefore, the strap  104  may allow adjustment of the feeding rate so that an optimal feeding rate can be chosen for the patient. Further, the feeding rate may be consistent during administration of the feed since the feed dispenser is retained at a fixed height. An optimal and consistent feeding rate may prevent vomiting, pain and discomfort to the patient. 
     The strap  104  can be secured to a stationary item (e.g., a stand, a crib, a chair, etc.) or a person. Further, the food dispenser is secured to the strap  104  without any tape that can leave a residue. Therefore, the system  100  may reduce exposure to bacteria and germs during feeds, as the residues left behind by the tape are eliminated. Further, the strap  104  improves comfort and efficiency of medical personnel, such as nurses, as the strap  104  may eliminate manual retention of the food dispenser during feedings. The strap  104  may also benefit patients by not requiring the patients to hold or support the food dispenser. With the use of the system  100 , medical personnel can spend more time focusing on the patients&#39; needs as the system  100  enables hands free administration of the feed. In addition, the pre-printed measurements on the strap  104  may aid in ensuring accuracy of feeding between nursing shifts. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of a support system  300  (hereinafter referred to as “the system  300 ”) with a food dispenser  302  secured to the strap  104 .  FIG. 4  is a lateral view of the support system  300 . Reference numerals corresponding to similar components in  FIGS. 1 and 2  have been used in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Therefore, various components of the system  100  have not been described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     The system  300  includes the device  102  including the strap  104  and the retaining member  105 . The strap  104  supports the food dispenser  302  at a predetermined height. In some embodiments, the food dispenser  302  can include, but not limited to, a syringe, a feeding tube, a feeding bag, a feeding pouch, and the like. The predetermined height can be a height of the device  102  with reference to a ground surface, a patient, or an article on which the patient is resting, for example, the patient&#39;s bed, chair, and the like. In another embodiment, the predetermined height may be a height of the food dispenser relative to the patient&#39;s stomach. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the food dispenser  302  is a gravity food dispenser syringe. The food dispenser  302  includes a body  304  for storing a feed that is supplied to the patient. In some embodiments, the feed may include various type of intravenous fluids. In some other embodiments, the feed may be any nutritious material which is administered into a stomach or small intestines of the patient. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the body  304  is a hollow tubular structure. The body  304  includes a plurality of indicia  306  indicative of a volume of feed contained in the body  304 . The food dispenser  302  further includes a plunger  308  at least partially received within the body  304 . In some embodiments, the plunger  308  may be removed to fill the body  304  with the feed. In some other embodiments, the plunger  308  may be pulled towards a top end  310  of the body  304  to refill the food dispenser  302 . 
     The outlet  314  of the food dispenser  302  may dispense the feed from the body  304 . In some embodiments, the outlet  314  may be connected to a feeding tube  316 . The feeding tube  316  may transport the feed from the food dispenser  302  to the patient. In some embodiments, the feeding tube  316  may be coupled to a needle or a catheter to transmit the feed into the patient&#39;s body. 
     In some embodiments, the food dispenser  302  is secured to the strap  104  via the retaining member  105  at a predetermined height. The predetermined height is determined based on a feeding rate suitable for the patient. In an exemplary embodiment, the retaining member  105  is a twisted tie which is twisted about the body  304  of the food dispenser. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the food dispenser  302  is secured to the strap  104  at a central section of the third portion  114 . Specifically, the food dispenser  302  may be secured at the marking “11” (shown in  FIG. 1 ) indicating that the food dispenser  302  is located approximately at a height of 11 inches from the second end  108  of the strap  104 . However, the retaining member  105  may be disposed at any of the openings  122  depending upon a desired feeding rate of the food dispenser  302 . 
     The retaining member  105  may secure the food dispenser  302  to any of the openings  122  located at suitable height such that a suitable rate of feeding is maintained, thereby relieving patients of discomfort and vomiting associated with rapid feeds. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, multiple such food dispensers may be secured to multiple detachable retaining members disposed within the openings defined by the strap  104 . 
     The food dispenser  302  can be easily detached from the detachable retaining member  105  for cleaning purposes to keep the food dispenser  302  disinfected. 
     The food dispenser  302  is secured by the strap  104  so as to prevent spilling or dropping of the food dispenser during feeding. 
       FIG. 5  shows flowchart illustrating a method  500  of supporting the food dispenser  302 . At step  502 , the strap  104  is secured to a structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the structure is the stand  116 . Alternatively, the structure may be a body part of the patient, or an article on which the patient is resting, for example, the patient&#39;s bed, chair, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the separated ends of the first elongate member  126  and the second elongate member  128  of the strap  104  are tied to the hanger  120  of the stand  116  via the knot  135 . Alternatively, the strap  104  may be coupled to the structure via other attachment means, such as, but not limited to, Velcro strap, adhesive, and so forth. 
     Next at step  504 , the retaining member  105  is secured to the strap  104  via one of the openings  122 . Specifically, the retaining member  105  is inserted within one of the openings  122  at a desired height. In an exemplary embodiment, the retaining member  105  is a twisted tie. However, the retaining member  105  may include any type of fastener that can detachably secure the food dispenser to the strap  104 . Examples of such fasteners may include, but not restricted to, strings, clips, Velcro straps, and the like. 
     At step  506 , the food dispenser  302  is secured to the strap  104  via the retaining member  105 . The retaining member  105  may be wrapped around the food dispenser  302 . Ends of the retaining member  105  may be then twisted to secure the food dispenser  302  to the strap  104 . After administration of the feed, the food dispenser  302  may be detached from the retaining member  105 . 
     Generally, the support system of the present invention provides an accurate, sanitary and simple solution for gravity feeding. However, the advantages of the support system are not limited to the ones described in the aforementioned embodiments. 
     The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation. 
     The foregoing discussion of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the present invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention the present invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. 
     Moreover, though the description of the present invention has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the present invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.