Patent Publication Number: US-2015065927-A1

Title: Brush with multi-height bristles

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/014138, filed Aug. 29, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Brushes are used in many applications for seemingly countless tasks. In some instances, brushes are designed for specific applications, such as toothbrushes for dental hygiene, powered skin care brushes for cleansing of the facial region, etc. Other brushes have more generic uses, such as a typical scrub brush. Brushes typically utilize a multiplicity of bristles bunched together to form a tuft. Each tuft is anchored in a tuft hole or recess located in the brush head. Typically, numerous tufts/tuft holes are located on the brush head and the number and locations vary depending upon the design. 
     Power skin care brushes are typically driven directly, such as by a drive shaft or shafts, gears, and a motor. The skin brush typically includes a single brush head, with a plurality of bristle/filament tufts, which move in unison. Some brush heads rotate 360 degrees in one direction continuously, while others oscillate through a selected angle. The higher frequency skin brushes are often referred to as sonic or sonic frequency brushes, the frequency range of such brushes being about 120-300 Hz for smaller brushes and can extend downward to around 40 Hz for larger brushes. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a method is provided for treating skin and/or hair of a subject with a handheld appliance. The method includes oscillating, via a motorized drive system of the handheld appliance, a brush having a plurality of tufts each tuft comprising a plurality of first bristles extending to a first height and a plurality of second bristles extending to a second, greater height, moving the brush into contact with the skin and/or hair of the subject; and thereafter moving the oscillating brush over the skin and/or hair of the subject. 
     Some disclosed embodiments of the method also includes increasing the amplitude of the oscillating brush by loading the brush via one of contact between the first and second bristles and the skin of the subject and contact between the second bristles and the skin of the subject. 
     Some disclosed embodiments of the method utilize second bristles having tapered ends and first bristles having end configurations selected from the group consisting of flat, rounded, domed, semi-domed, and tapered. 
     In some disclosed embodiments of the method, each tufts comprises a plurality of extended filaments each including a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first legs of the extended filaments include the first bristles and the second legs of the extended filaments include the second bristles. 
     In some disclosed embodiments of the method, each extended filament is anchored asymmetrically to the brush head, thereby forming bristle pairs comprising the first and the second bristles. 
     In some disclosed embodiments of the method, the first height is about 0.300 inch (7.62 millimeters) to about 0.700 inch (17.78 millimeters). In these and other disclosed embodiments of the method, the second height is about 0.500 inch (12.70 millimeters) to about 1.000 inch (25.40 millimeters). In these and other disclosed embodiments of the method, the difference between the first height and the second height is about 0.100 inch (2.54 millimeters) to about 0.400 inch (10.16 millimeters). 
     In some disclosed embodiments of the method, the first height is about 0.100 inch (2.54 millimeters) to about 0.300 inch (17.78 millimeters). In these and other disclosed embodiments of the method, the second height is about 0.375 inch (9.525 millimeters) to about 0.500 inch (12.70 millimeters). In these and other disclosed embodiments of the method, the difference between the first height and the second height is about 0.100 inch (2.54 millimeters) to about 0.400 inch (10.16 millimeters). 
     In some disclosed embodiments of the method, the diameter of the first and second bristles is between about 0.002 inch (0.051 millimeters) and 0.005 inch (0.127 millimeters). Some disclosed embodiments of the method oscillate the brush at frequencies between about 40-350 Hz. Other disclosed embodiments of the method oscillate the brush at frequencies between about 90-175 Hz. Yet other embodiments of the method oscillate the brush at frequencies between about 90-115 Hz. 
     Some disclosed embodiments of the method oscillate the brush within a range of about 3-30 degrees. Other disclosed embodiments of the method oscillate the brush within a range of about 3-15 degrees. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes oscillating, via a motorized drive system, a brush having a plurality of tufts each comprising a plurality of first bristles extending to a first height and a plurality of second bristles extending to a second, greater height, increasing the amplitude of the oscillating brush by loading the brush via one of contact between the first and second bristles and the skin of the subject and contact between the second bristles and the skin of the subject, and moving the oscillating brush over the skin of the subject. 
     Some disclosed embodiments of the method includes increasing the amplitude of the oscillating brush by loading the brush occurs from contact between the second bristles and the skin of the subject, and subsequently, from contact between first and second bristles and the skin of the subject. 
     Some disclosed embodiments of the method also include applying a cleansing agent to the skin or shaving cream or gel to hair of the subject, and increasing a lathering effect of the cleansing agent or shaving cream or gel via oscillation of the brush. 
     In some disclosed embodiments of the method, the increased lathering effect occurs contemporaneously with the increase in amplitude of the oscillating brush via contact between the first and second bristles and the skin and/or hair of the subject. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a brush is provided. The brush includes a brush head to which one or more tufts of bristles are secured. Each tuft comprises a plurality of first bristles that extend a first height from the brush head and a plurality of second bristles that extend a second height from the base. The first height in some embodiments is less than the second height. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a powered skin brush is provided. The powered skin brush includes a powered handle having a motor assembly configured to output motion, a brush selectively mounted to the powered handle and including a brush head configured to be moved by the motion outputted by the motor assembly, and a plurality of tufts anchored to the brush head. In some embodiments, each tuft comprises a plurality of first bristles extending a first height from the brush head and a plurality of second bristles extending a second height from the base. The first height in some embodiments is less than the second height. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the present disclosure, a brush is provided. The brush includes a brush head having a plurality of tuft receiving openings; and a plurality of extended filaments each asymmetrically anchored to one of the plurality of tuft receiving openings in order to form bristle pairs having first and second legs of different heights. The ends of the bristle pairs in some embodiments have shapes independently selected from the group consisting of flat, rounded, and tapered. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one example of a brush in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a brush, such as the brush of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the brush of  FIG. 1  adapted to be coupled to components of a drive motor system; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one example of a brush head in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial schematic view of the brush head of  FIG. 4 , into which a tuft of bristles is anchored; 
         FIGS. 6-8  are examples of a single filament asymmetrically anchored into a brush head in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the anchored filament forming, for example, a bristle pair; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one example of a personal care appliance on which the brush of  FIG. 1  is mounted; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the personal care appliance of  FIG. 9  with the brush exploded therefrom; 
         FIG. 11  is a functional block diagram of several components of the personal care appliance of  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 12  illustrates in graphical form the relationship between applied load and amplitude of one embodiment of the brush in a loaded condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed. 
     The following discussion provides examples of brushes suitable for use in applications such as skin care, including, for example, cleansing, exfoliating, shaving, etc. 
     The brushes include a brush head from which a plurality of tufts extend. In the examples disclosed herein, the tufts include bristles that extend from the brush head to different heights, and may include bristles of varying diameters from tuft to tuft or within each tuft. As will be described in more detail below, some examples of the brushes include filaments that are stapled, fused and end molded or otherwise anchored to the brush head asymetrically in order to define bristle pairs having a first, shorter bristle leg and a second, longer bristle leg. 
     It has been observed by the inventors of the disclosed subject matter that representative examples of the brushes described herein provide an increased foaming/lathering effect when employed to apply a cream or cleansing agent to a surface, such as a subject&#39;s skin or facial hair. In particular, it has been observed that increased foaming/lathering occurs in representative examples of the brush near the convergence of the first, shorter bristle and a second, longer bristle of each bristle pair. The examples of the brushes described herein also provide multiple uptakes, i.e., a dynamic change to the resonant system resulting in a perceivable amplitude increase in response to additional loading of the brush, when the brush is oscillated against the skin, facial hair, etc., at sonic frequencies. Other benefits can be realized by the brushes of the present disclosure, including, for example, a softer feel, sometimes characterized as “luxurious” to the subject. 
     While the various aspects of the present disclosure are presented with examples related to skin care, it will be appreciated that the disclosed examples are illustrative in nature, and therefore, should not be construed as limited to skin care applications. It should therefore be apparent that these various aspects of the present disclosure have wide application, and can be employed with any tufted bristle brush, including but not limited to toothbrushes, paint brushes, scrub brushes, etc. 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that many embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of the specific details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown one example of a brush, generally designated  20 , formed in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The brush  20  includes a plurality of bristles  24  arranged in one or more tufts  26 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the bristles  24  of each tuft  26  have different bristle heights. The brush  20  shown in the example of  FIG. 1  is suitable for use with a personal care appliance, such as personal care appliance  28  (See  FIG. 9 ). In one suitable use, the brush  20  can be rotated or oscillated over a patient&#39;s skin by the personal care appliance in order for the bristles of the tufts to clean, massage, exfoliate, apply a cleansing or shaving cream or gel to, etc., a subject&#39;s skin or body hair. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2-5 , one example of the brush  20  will be described in more detail. As best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the brush  20  includes a brush head  30  configured with one or more tuft receiving openings  32 , such as holes, recesses, etc. The number, size and/or location of the tuft receiving openings  32  can vary between embodiments of the present disclosure depending, in part, upon its intended application. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the brush head  30  has a generally circular lateral cross section, although other geometrical cross-sections (i.e., triangular, elliptical, lobular, square, etc.) may be employed, especially in embodiments that employ oscillating motion devices. The brush head  30  can be constructed out of plastic, such as nylon, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyethylene, etc., although other materials may be utilized, including lightweight metals, such as aluminum, titanium, etc. The brush  20  also includes a plurality of tufts  26  anchored into the tuft receiving openings  32 . The tufts may be anchored via staples, anchor wires, etc., or by other techniques such as being fused and end molded, among others. The tufts  26  are spaced apart from one another and include a plurality (e.g., 10-200 or more) of bristles  24 . The bristles  24  extend upwardly from the brush head and include a number of bristles  24 A having a first, shorter height, denoted as Y in  FIGS. 6-8 . Also included are a number of bristles  24 B having a second, longer height, denoted as X in  FIGS. 6-8 . 
     The bristles  24 A of each tuft  26  in some embodiments have a height of about 0.300 inch (7.62 millimeters) to about 0.700 inch (17.78 millimeters) or greater and the bristles  24 B of each tuft  26  in some embodiments have a height of about 0.500 inch (12.70 millimeters) to about 1.000 inch (25.40 millimeters) or greater. In other embodiments, the bristles  24 A of each tuft  26  in some embodiments have a height of about 0.100 inch (2.54 millimeters) to about 0.300 inch (7.62 millimeters) or greater and the bristles  24 B of each tuft  26  in some embodiments have a height of about 0.375 inch (9.525 millimeters) to about 0.500 inch (12.70 millimeters) or greater. In some embodiments, the difference in heights between the bristles  24 A and bristles  24 B, denoted as Z in  FIGS. 6-8 , is in the range of approximately 0.100 inch (2.54 millimeters) to about 0.400 inch (10.16 millimeters) or greater. The diameter of the bristles  24 A and  24 B in some embodiments are in the range of approximately 0.002 inch (0.051 millimeter) to 0.006 inch (0.152 millimeter), and can vary within each tuft and/or from tuft to tuft. In some embodiments, the Y:X ratio is between approximately 0.60 and approximately 0.80, and in other embodiments, the Y:X ratio is between approximately 0.66 and approximately 0.75. In yet other embodiments, such as, for example, a shaving brush, the Y:X ratio is between approximately 0.20 and approximately 0.60. In one representative embodiment, the diameter of the first and second bristles is 0.003 inch (0.0762 millimeters), the height of the first bristle is 0.500 inch (12.70 millimeters), and the height of the second bristles is 0.800 inch (20.32 millimeters). The bristles  24  can be constructed out of a variety of materials, such as polymers and co-polymers. In some embodiments, the bristles  24  may be constructed out of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), such as DuPont™ Crastin®, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), such as DuPont™ Rynite®, nylons of differing blends, such as DuPont™ Zytrel®, polyester, such as DuPont™ Hytrel®, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), coextruded elastomers, polypropylene, polyethylene, such as DuPont™ Bynel®, combinations or blends thereof, etc. In some embodiments, the filaments may have cross sections including but not limited to circular, diamond, hollow, rectangular, X-shape, multi-lobed, etc. The bristles may be treated with anti-microbial agents in some embodiments or coated or compounded with an anti-microbial material, such as silver zeolites, zinc, copper, etc., or other organic additives. End finishing of the bristles can also be selectively varied, some of which may be smooth polished end rounding, flat, tapered, raw cut, split, domed, semi-domed, etc. In some embodiments, one or more of the bristles may be flagged or multi-tipped. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the bristles  24  can be configured and arranged as bristle pairs  24 A and  24 B, as shown in  FIGS. 5-6 . In that regard, in some embodiments, each bristle pair  24 A and  24 B is formed by a single filament asymmetrically anchored to the brush head  30 . For example, each bristle pair  24 A and  24 B can be formed by a single filament folded around a staple, anchor wire, or other anchoring device  36 . Together with at least one anchoring device  36 , the plurality of filaments are driven into the tuft receiving opening  32 , thereby forming a tuft  26  with a plurality of bristle pairs  24 A and  24 B. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a plurality of filaments are wrapped or looped around a staple or other anchoring device  36  into a generally J-shaped configuration having a pair of bristle legs. The folded filaments and the anchoring device  36  are then together driven by a mandrel or similar device into the tuft receiving opening  32  to press the bight portion of the tuft toward the base of the tuft receiving opening  32 . Because the staple or anchoring device  36  is slightly longer than the diameter of the tuft receiving opening  32 , the staple or anchoring device  36  is pressed into the material of the brush head  30 , and the tuft  26  and staple or anchoring device  36  are thus firmly secured to the brush head  30 . In other embodiments, the tufts  26  may include fused and end molded bristles. 
       FIGS. 6-8  illustrate several examples of bristle pairs  24 A and  24 B formed by a single filament anchored to the brush head  30  via an anchoring device  36  such as an anchoring wire, staple, etc. As shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 6-8 , the ends of bristles  24 B can have a tapered shape while the ends of the bristles  24 A include a flat shape, a rounded shape, and a tapered shape, respectively. It will be appreciated that the angle formed by the tapered end may vary, depending on its intended application. In some embodiments, the taper extends between approximately 0.300 inch (7.62 millimeters) and 0.500 inch (12.70 millimeters), and is denoted as T in  FIGS. 6-8 . In other embodiments, the taper may extend between approximately 0.200 inch (5.08 millimeters) and 0.400 inch (10.16 millimeters). The taper may occur on one or more sides of the bristle or may occur on all sides of the bristle, thereby forming either a conical, pyramidal, etc., bristle end or a frustoconical, frusto-pyramidal, etc., bristle end depending, in part, on the cross-sectional shape of the bristle and the desired bristle tip shape. In some embodiments, the distance T is approximately 0.450 inch (11.43 millimeters) +/−0.010 inch (0.254 millimeter), and the diameter of the bristle tip is approximately 0.002 inch (0.051 millimeter) or less. It should also be recognized that the degree of end rounding can be varied in embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     As briefly stated above, some examples of the brush  20  are suitable for use with a personal care appliance, such as the personal care appliance  22  of  FIGS. 9-11 . As best shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , there is shown one example of the personal care appliance  22 . The appliance  22  includes a body  60  having a handle portion  62  and a head attachment portion  64 . The head attachment portion  64  is configured to selectively attach a head, such as brush head  20 , to the appliance  22 . The appliance body  60  houses the operating structure of the appliance. As shown in block diagrammatic form in  FIG. 11 , the operating structure in one embodiment includes a drive motor assembly  70 , a power storage source  72 , such as a rechargeable battery, and a drive control  74  that includes an on/off button  76  (See  FIG. 9 ) configured and arranged to selectively deliver power from the power storage source  72  to the drive motor assembly  70 . In some embodiments, the drive control  74  may also include a power adjust or mode control buttons  78  (See  FIG. 9 ) coupled to control circuitry, such as a programmed microcontroller or processor, which is configured to control the delivery of power to the drive motor assembly  70 . The drive motor assembly  70  in some embodiments includes an electric drive motor  80  that drives an attached head, such as brush head  20 , via a drive shaft or armature  82 . 
     The drive motor assembly  70  is configured to impart motion to the brush head  20 . The drive motor assembly  70  in some embodiments may be configured to operate the brush head  20  at sonic frequencies, typically in the range of about 40-350 Hz, oscillating the brush head  20  back and forth within a range or amplitude of about 3-30 degrees, or greater. One example of a drive motor assembly  70  that may be employed by the appliance  22  to oscillate the brush head  20  is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,786,626, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, it should be understood that this is merely an example of the structure and operation of one such appliance and that the structure, operation frequency and oscillation amplitude of such an appliance could be varied, depending in part on its intended application and/or characteristics of the brush head, such as its inertial properties, etc. 
     In some embodiments, the brush  20  includes fixed outer retainer  88 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . In some embodiments, the fixed outer retainer  88  may include one or more spaced apart tufts (not shown). The brush head  30  and the outer retainer  88  together include an attachment system configured to provide selective attachment of the brush  20  to the head attachment portion  64  of the personal care appliance  22 . When attached to the personal care appliance  22  by the attachment system, the following occurs: (1) the brush head  30  is operatively connected to the drive motor assembly  70 , for example, via a drive hub  84 , in a manner that provides oscillating motion thereto; and (2) the outer retainer  88  fixedly secures the brush  20  to the head attachment portion  64  of the appliance  22 . Accordingly, the attachment system in some embodiments provides a quick and easy technique for attaching and detaching the brush  20  to the personal care appliance  22 . It will be appreciated that the attachment system also allows for other brushes to be attached to the appliance, and allows for a replacement brush  20  to be attached to the appliance, when desired. One attachment system that may be practiced with embodiments of the present disclosure is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 7,386,906, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. It will be appreciated that other attachment systems can be employed to provide either tooled or tool-less techniques for selectively attaching the brush  20  to a personal care appliance, such as appliance  22 , in a manner that (1) provides oscillating motion to the brush head  30 ; and (2) maintains the connection between the brush head  30  and the drive motor assembly  70 . For example, in some embodiments, the brush head  30  includes a coupling interface configured to cooperatingly connect to an oscillating drive shaft of an associated drive motor assembly  70  in a manner that transmits oscillating motion to the brush head  30  while fixedly securing the brush head  30  thereto. As such, it should be understood that while the retainer  88  may provide certain benefits to some embodiments of the brush head  20 , it is optional, and thus it may be omitted, if desired. 
     The above-described examples of the brush  20  can be used in some embodiments to clean, massage, exfoliate, etc., a subject&#39;s skin. In other embodiments, the above-described examples of the brush  20  can be used to apply shaving cream, gel, soap, etc., to the subject&#39;s skin or to body hair associated with the subject&#39;s skin. In that regard, any of the brush heads herein disclosed can be, for example, attached to a powered or non-powered appliance for assisting the subject to move the brush  20  over the subject&#39;s skin. In some embodiments that employ the person care appliance  22 , the personal care appliance  22  is then turned on and the attached brush head is operated at sonic frequencies in the range of about 40-350 Hz, and in some embodiments between 90-175 Hz or between 90-115 Hz, oscillating the brush head back and forth within a range of about 3-30 degrees or greater in some embodiments and within a range of about 3-15 degrees in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the brush  20  is oscillated near (i.e., slightly, e.g., within 5-10 Hz) of its resonant frequency. 
     Once oscillating in these and other embodiments, the brush  20  is applied against the skin and/or hair on the body, such as on the face. In that regard, as the second, longer bristles  24 B contact the skin and/or hair, the bristles  24 B become loaded, whereby a dynamic change to the resonant system occurs resulting in a perceivable amplitude increase in response to additional loading of the brush. This occurrence in resonant systems is generally referred to as “uptake.” Thus, the first uptake occurs when the brush first engages the skin and force or load is applied.  FIG. 12  illustrates the relationship between applied load and amplitude of one embodiment of the brush in a loaded condition. The first uptake occurs around the left most point in  FIG. 12 . 
     The oscillating brush  20  can continue to be traversed over sections of the subject&#39;s skin and/or hair. Because of the configuration of the brushes described herein, when additional pressure or load is applied, enough to bend the second, longer bristles  24 B in some embodiments, the second, shorter bristles  24 A begin to engage the subject&#39;s skin and/or hair. Again, as a result, the bristles  24 A become loaded, and similar to the bristles  24 B described above, a second uptake occurs, providing a unique feeling to the subject. The second uptake can be seen in Graph  1  by the spike in amplitude towards the right side of  FIG. 12 . 
     Once the skin and/or hair is treated to the desired amount, the brush  20  can be removed therefrom and the appliance  22  can be powered down. Alternatively, the appliance  22  can be powered down automatically via a programmed operation. 
     The methods described above can be carried out with or without the use of skin care formulas, cleansing agents, shaving soaps, creams or gels. However, any preparation of the skin area prior to treatment can be employed as part of the methods disclosed above. With the use of cleansing agents, shaving creams, gels, etc., and the like, the movement of the bristles  24  has been observed to promote an improved lathering effect over heretofore known brushes. In some embodiments, the improvement in foam generation/lathering coincides contemporaneously with the second uptake. Moreover, the bristle end treatment in some embodiments described herein provides a soft feel to the subject&#39;s skin, and has been characterized by subjects as “luxurious.” Other benefits may be realized by examples of the present disclosure. For example, the bristles  24 A and  24 B can be tuned to resonate at different frequencies. 
     It should be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, terminology such as “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” “rear,” etc., should be construed as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” “secured,” “mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, securements and mountings. 
     The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.