Patent Publication Number: US-2016235252-A1

Title: Blender disk

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to provisional U.S. application No. 62/117,328, filed Feb. 17, 2015, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This application relates to the blending of beverages in a fluid container, such as in a water bottle. This application pertains to a novel blender disk that attaches to a straw in the fluid container. The present invention can be utilized to easily and thoroughly mix powdered drink mixes and liquids in a fluid container. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A fluid container can be used to hold a fluid, such as water, and frequently one may desire to add an additional material, such as a powdered or liquid flavoring, dietary supplements, protein powders, additional ingredients, or other substances to the fluid. Within a fluid container, it may be difficult to ensure adequate mixing of the added substance. Several fluid containers now comprise of straws that allow for sipping rather than chugging from an opening in the lid. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some aspects described herein include a fluid container comprising a shell for containing a fluid; a straw extending into the container; a blender disk removably connected to the straw; wherein the blender disk comprises a pattern of ribs, cross members, and voids configured to create turbulent flow passing through the blender disk within the shell. Preferably, the blender disk affixes to the straw by a friction fit. This allows the disk to be removed easily by hand and without the need of tools. 
     When mixing powdered drink mixes in a fluid container, one may have to shake it in order for the solution to thoroughly mix. This can be aggravating, especially when some powdered drink mixes do not easily dissolve, like a protein powder mix. This can result in chunky and non-homogeneous drinking experiences. The non-homogeneous solution can cause plugging of the straw rendering the user unable to drink the liquids in the fluid container. Blender disks as described herein can be advantageous, in part, by providing a more homogenous mixing and a better drinking experience for users. 
     In one aspect, a fluid container comprises a shell for containing a fluid; a straw extending into the container; and a blender disk removably connected to the straw, wherein the blender disk comprises a pattern of ribs, cross members, and voids configured to create turbulent flow passing through the blender disk within the shell 
     In some embodiments, the removable lid has an outlet therein. In some embodiments, the fluid container comprises a plurality of blender disks connected to the straw. 
     In some embodiments, the fluid container comprises a ring attached to one end of the straw, wherein the ring prevents the removal of the blender disk. 
     In some embodiments, the fluid container comprises a sheath attached to one end of the blender disk, wherein the sheath encompasses the straw extending into the container, wherein the sheath is affixed to the removable lid. 
     In some embodiments, the blender disk is affixes to the straw by a screw, wherein the screw is threaded through the blender disk to form a pressed fit with the straw. In some embodiments, the blender disk is integrally formed with the straw. 
     In another aspect, a fluid container comprises a shell for containing a fluid; a removable lid connected to the container; and a blender disk affixed to the container, wherein the blender disk comprises a pattern of ribs, cross members, and voids configured to create turbulent flow passing through the blender disk within the shell. 
     In some embodiments, the fluid container comprises a suspension post, wherein the blender disk is affixed to the suspension post. 
     In some embodiments, the fluid container comprises a blender disk with a snap lock mechanism, wherein the snap lock mechanism is readily manually snapped into operative position and which positively locks in place the blender disk in the fluid container. 
     In some embodiments, the blender disk is attached to the suspension post by a snap lock mechanism, wherein the snap lock mechanism components in combination secures the blender disk and the suspension post to the fluid container. 
     In some embodiments, blender disk is affixed to the base of the container by a suspension post. 
     In some embodiments, the blender disk is attached to the suspension post by a snap lock mechanism, wherein the snap lock mechanism components in combination secures the blender disk and the suspension post. 
     In some embodiments, the blender disk is affixed to the shell by a snap lock mechanism, wherein the snap lock mechanism components in combination secures the blender disk and the shell of the fluid container. 
     In another aspect, a method of using a fluid container comprises providing a fluid container comprising: a shell for containing a fluid; a lid removably attachable to the shell; and a straw connected to the lid; attaching a blender disk to the straw, the blender disk comprising a pattern of ribs, cross members, and voids configured to create turbulent flow passing through the blender disk within the shell; attaching the lid to the shell to extend the straw into the shell; disposing a fluid within the shell; and agitating the fluid container to cause a fluid disposed within the container to flow through the voids in the blender disk. 
     In some embodiments, the method further comprises disposing a dry additive in the fluid container to dissolve within the fluid. 
     In some embodiments, the method comprises dissolving the dry additive within the fluid by agitating the fluid container. 
     In some embodiments, agitating the fluid container comprises generating turbulent flow through and around the blender disk within the shell. 
     These and other aspects, features and/or advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. 
         FIG. 1A  depicts a side view of an embodiment fluid container having a straw with a blender disk removably connected thereto. In this and subsequent figures, the fluid container is depicted as having transparent sides for ease of illustration. 
         FIG. 1B  depicts a side view of a straw with a blender disk removably connected thereto. 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a top view of an embodiment of a blender disk. 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a blender disk. 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a side view of an embodiment of a water bottle having a blender disk suspended by the walls of the container. 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a side view of an embodiment of a water bottle having a blender disk suspended by a protruding edge within the container. 
         FIG. 3C  depicts an embodiment of a fluid container with a blender disk suspended by a snap fit to the shell of the container. 
         FIG. 4A  depicts a side view of an embodiment of a water bottle having a blender disk affixed to the bottom of the container. 
         FIG. 4B  depicts a side view of an embodiment of a water bottle having a blender disk affixed to the lid of the container. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a side view of an embodiment of a water bottle having a straw with a blender disk. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a side view of an embodiment of a water bottle having a straw with a blender disk sheath removably connected thereto. 
     
    
    
     The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and as illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined and designed in a wide variety of configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and made part of this disclosure. 
     As used herein, the term turbulent flow may refer to an interrupted or diverted fluid flow around an obstacle which results in formation of localized eddies and currents. 
     Some embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a blender disk. Specifically, some embodiments relate to a blender disk for use in a fluid container, such as a water bottle. The blender disk can have an internal structure within an outer frame in order to interrupt, divert, redirect, or alter the flow of water through the blender disk, thereby creating a turbulent flow in a water bottle to blend a substance in a fluid within the water bottle. 
       FIG. 1A  depicts an embodiment of a fluid container with a blender disk disposed therein. A container  100  comprises a shell  105 , a lid  110 , and a base  115 . The shell  105  can be a hard or soft, impervious material for holding a fluid. The lid  110  can be removably attached to the shell  105  via threads, a friction fit and a gasket, or any other connection method known in the art. The shell  105  and lid  110  can be made from various plastics, metals, durable glass materials, or any non-toxic material suitable for containing and agitating powders and liquids. The lid  110  can include an outlet (not shown) built in to the lid, or an outlet may be accessible when the lid is removed. The lid  110  can be removable to allow access to the shell  105  to add a fluid, such as water, and another substance, such as a supplement, flavoring, a powder, a second fluid, or any other desired substance. In some embodiments, the lid  110  comprises a connector  112  in fluid communication with a straw  120 . The straw  120  extends into the container  100 . The straw  120  can be a hollow, cylindrical tube which extends to or near to the base  115  of container  100 . A fluid (not shown) can be retained within the shell  105  such that the straw  120  is at least partially submerged or immersed in the fluid. 
     A blender disk  130  can be removably connected to the straw  130 . The blender disk  130  can be made of silicon, rubber, plastic, metal or any non-toxic material suitable for agitating powders and liquids. In some embodiments, the blender disk  130  comprises a sleeve  132  and a rim  134 . The sleeve  132  is sized and shaped to surround the straw  120  and to provide a friction fit to the straw  120 , as will be described below. In some embodiments, the sleeve  132  can be integrally formed with the straw  120 . The sleeve  132  supports one or more ribs (not shown) which extend outward from the sleeve  132  and which connect to the rim  134 . The rim  134  may be circular, oval, square, triangular, or any other desired shape. In some embodiments, the rim may have a diameter or circumference or other dimension such that the blender disk can be removed from an opening in the shell  105 . In some embodiments, the rim  134  may be sized and/or shaped such that the blender disk is larger than, or has at least one dimension larger than, the opening in the shell  105  onto which the lid  110  is attached. 
     In some embodiments, the blender disk  130  is positioned at a midpoint of the straw  120 . In some embodiments, the blender disk  130  is positioned on the straw  120  as to be proximate one end or the other. The position of the blender disk  130  can be changed by applying a force to the blender disk  130  sufficient to overcome a frictional force between the inner surface of the sleeve  132  and an outer surface of the straw  120 . In some embodiments, the blender disk  130  can be fixedly attached to the straw  120  at any desired position. 
     The blender disk  130  can be advantageously moved to any location on the straw  120  desired by the user for mixing a substance into the fluid within the container  100 . Because the blender disk  130  is removably attached to the straw  120 , as a fluid is agitated, the blender disk stays in place as the fluid flows around and through the blender disk  130 , which results in more efficient mixing of a fluid than if the blender disk  130  was loose or unattached within the container  100 . 
     A circular blender disk  130  having radially extending ribs  136  and concentric cross members has been described herein. The blender disk  130  of the current disclosure can be oval, square, triangular, or any other desired shape, with a pattern of ribs and cross members suited to the shape of the blender disk, without departing from the scope of the present application. 
     In some embodiments, the straw  120  can be a stem, tube, channel, conduit, pipe or any other device that is known in the art that can transfer a liquid from within the shell  105  to the lid  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the lower end of the straw  120  does not approach the base  115  of the container  100 . In some embodiments, the sleeve  132  includes a pliable or semi-pliable internal protrusion (not shown) which allows the blender disk  130  to attach to any straw  120  that may be too small to provide a friction fit. The internal protrusion can be inserted into the sleeve  132 , and the straw  120  can then be inserted to form a friction fit connection. 
     In some embodiments, multiple blender disks  130  can be disposed on a straw  120  to advantageously improve agitation and mixing. 
       FIG. 1B  depicts the straw  120  removed from the shell  105  of the container  100 . The straw  120  can be formed of a rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material. 
       FIG. 2A  depicts a top view of the blender disk  130 . The blender disk comprises the sleeve  132  and the rim  134  as described above. Also as described above, one or more ribs  136  extend between the sleeve  132  and the rim  134  to attach the rim  134  to the sleeve, and to provide a blending structure, as will be described below. One or more cross members  138  extend between the ribs  136 . The cross members  138  can connect to adjacent ribs  136  to provide a support structure for the ribs  136 , and to provide a blending structure. In some embodiments, the one or more cross members  138  extend circumferentially and concentrically around the sleeve  132 . In some embodiments, one or more ribs  136  can extend from the sleeve  132  to the rim  134 . In some embodiments, one or more ribs  136  can extend from the rim  134  to one of the concentric cross members  138 , or from the sleeve  132  to one or more of the concentric cross members  138 . 
     One or more blending voids  139  are formed by the pattern of ribs  136  and cross members  138 . The one or more blending voids  139  can be of the same size and shape, or can be of varying sizes and shapes depending on the location of the void  139  within the pattern of ribs  136  and cross members  138 . 
     The sleeve  132  is formed with one or more protrusions  135  extending from an inner surface  133  of the sleeve into a channel configured to receive the straw  120 . The protrusions  135  can extend so as to create a friction fit between the protrusions  135  and the straw  120 . The protrusions  135  movably secure the blender disk  130  to the sleeve, and also allow for the blender disk  130  to be slidably moved along the straw  120  by the application of a force greater than the frictional force. The protrusions  135  are sized and shaped so as to create a frictional fit which will keep the blender disk  130  in position on the straw  120  when a fluid is passed over or through the blender disk  130 , but which can be easily moved by a user&#39;s hand. 
       FIG. 2B  depicts a perspective view of the blender disk  130  of  FIG. 2A . To use the blender disk  130 , a user may add a fluid, such as water, to the shell  105 . The user may desire to add another substance, such as a powder or liquid flavor, a protein powder, a supplement, or other substance which can be advantageously mixed with the fluid in the container  100 . To mix the fluid and the added substance, a user agitates the container  100 . As the container  100  is agitated, the fluid and the added substance moves within the shell  105 . As the fluid impacts the blender disk  130 , the ribs  136  and the cross members  138  impede the flow path of the fluid. The fluid is forced through the voids  139  in the pattern of ribs  136  and cross members  138 , and a turbulent or agitated flow in the fluid is created. In the turbulent or agitated flow pattern, a substance added to the fluid can be advantageously mixed by the localized turbulent flow patterns around and throughout the blender disk  130 , which works to dissolve and/or disperse the substance into the bottle. The result of the agitation can be used to create a homogeneous mixture of the contents of the bottle. 
     Although a round or circular blending disk is described herein, a person of skill in the art would understand that a blending disk can have other shapes, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the blending disk can be generally oval, triangular, square, rectangular, diamond, or any other desired shape. In some embodiments, the blending disk shape can be selected to match a shape of an internal cross section of a fluid container. 
       FIG. 3A  depicts an embodiment of a fluid container with a blender disk disposed therein. A container  300  comprises a shell  305 , a lid  310 , and a base  315 . The shell  305  can be a hard or soft, impervious material for holding a fluid. The lid  310  can be removably attached to the shell  305  via threads, a friction fit and a gasket, or any other desired connection method. The shell  305  and lid  310  can be made from various plastics, metals, durable glass materials, or any non-toxic material suitable for containing powders and liquids. The lid  310  can include an outlet (not shown) built in to the lid, or an outlet may be accessible when the lid is removed. As shown, the blender disk  330  is suspended by the walls of the shell  305  when the periphery of the blender disk  330  contacts an inner surface of the shell  305  forming a friction fit. The position of the blender disk  330  is approximately half the distance between the lid  310  and the base  315  in the container  300 . The blender disk  330  can be moved along the shell  305  of the container  300  with an application of a force greater than the frictional force. 
     In some embodiments, the blender disk can be positioned in a narrow portion of the fluid container, and have a size configured to friction fit into the narrowest portion of the fluid container. In some embodiments, the blender disk can be removably attached to the inner shell, such as via a snap fit, or can be non-removably attached to the inner surface of the shell  305 , such as being glued in or integrally formed with the shell  305 . 
     The blender disk  330  can be positioned, in the upper quarter or lower quarter of the shell  305 . In some embodiments, one or more blender disks  330  can be suspended by the shell  305  to improve agitation and mixing. 
     In some embodiments, the blender disk  330  can be integrally formed within the shell. The integral formation is a permanent connection so as to make up a single completed piece of the shell  305  and the blender disk  330 . The connection becomes part of, or is interconnected with, the shell  305  and blender disk  330 . 
     In some embodiments, the blender disk  330  is attached to the shell  305  by an adhesive. An adhesive can be any glue, hot melt, solvent rubber, acrylic, silicones, epoxy, phenolic, wax, polyurethane, or any material that is known in the art to act as an adhesive. 
       FIG. 3B  depicts a side view of an embodiment of a fluid container having a blender disk suspended by a protruding edge within the container. The blender disk  330  is attached to the shell  305  by a protruding edge  320  from the interior of the shell  305 . In some embodiments, the blender disk  330  snap locks into place. The protruding edge  320  of the shell  305  has a snap lock mechanism attached to the protruding edge  320  and the blender disk  330  has a snap fit for locking the blender disk  330  into place. The snap lock mechanism between the protruding edge  320  from the interior of the shell  305  and the blender disk  330  can be readily manually snapped into operative position and which positively locks in place, and yet at the same time can be readily separated when desired. 
     The snap lock mechanism can be engaged and released without the use of tools. Thus, the snap lock mechanism may be released in the fluid container  300  by the user by hand and does not damage or deform the lock structure. In some embodiments, a plurality of snap fits can be used to secure the blender disk  330  to the protruding edge  320 . The snap locking between the protruding edge  320  from the interior of the shell  305  and the blender disk  330  can be readily manually snapped into operative position and which positively locks in place, and yet which at the same time can be readily separated when desired. 
     In some embodiments, the protruding edge and blender disk are integrally formed similar to the integrally formed blender disk and shell, as described above. 
       FIG. 3C  depicts an embodiment of a fluid container with a blender disk suspended by a friction fit to the shell  305 . The blender disk  330  can be connected to the shell  305  similar to the connection with the protruding edge  320 , as described above. 
       FIG. 4A  depicts an embodiment of a fluid container with a blender disk disposed therein. A container  400  comprises a shell  405 , a lid  410 , and a base  415 . The components of the container  400  can be similar to those described elsewhere herein. The lid  410  can include an outlet (not shown) built in to the lid, or an outlet may be accessible when the lid is removed. The blender disk  430  is affixed to the base  415  by a suspension post  420 . The suspension post  420  can extend perpendicularly or at another angel from the surface of the base  415  into the internal cavity of the shell  405 . The suspension post  420  can be removably or fixedly attached to the base  415 . The suspension post  420  connects to the blender disk via a fixed or removable connection, such that the blender disk  430  is disposed generally parallel to the base  415 . The suspension post  420  is connected to the blender disk  430  to hold in place the blender disk  430  during agitation of fluid within the container  400 . The suspension post  420  can be made of silicon, rubber, plastic, metal or any non-toxic material suitable for agitating powders and liquids. The suspension post  420  can be connected to any part of the base  415 . In some embodiments, the suspension post  420  is integrally formed with the blender disk  430  and the container  400 . 
     In some embodiments, the suspension post  420  can be attached to the shell  405  in addition to, or rather than to the base  415 . In some embodiments, the suspension post  420  is attached to the container  400  by an adhesive. An adhesive can be any glue, hot melt, solvent rubber, acrylic, silicones, epoxy, phenolic, wax, polyurethane, or any material that is known in the art to act as an adhesive. 
     In some embodiments, the suspension post  420  is attached to the container  400  by a protruding edge from the base  415  of the container  400  wherein the suspension post  420  snap locks into place. In some embodiments, the snap locking between the protruding edge from the base  415  and the suspension post  420  can be readily manually snapped into operative position and which positively locks in place, and can also be readily separated by applying a manual force when desired. The suspension post  420  and the protruding edge of the base  415  may be snapped into place in any relative axial position thereby presenting no alignment problems when assembling the present invention. The suspension post  420  can be connected to the blender disk  430  similar to the connection with the shell  405 , described above. 
     The blender disk  430  is integrally formed with the suspension post  420 . In some embodiments, the blender disk  430  attaches to the suspension post  420  by snap click. In some embodiments, the blender disk  430  attaches to the suspension post  420  by an adhesive. In some embodiments, a plurality of suspension posts  420  can be used to support the blender disk  430 . 
       FIG. 4B  depicts an embodiment of a fluid container with a blender disk disposed therein. The blender disk  430  is affixed to the lid  410  by a suspension post  410 . The suspension post  410  firmly holds in place the blender disk  430 . The suspension post  420  can be made of silicon, rubber, plastic, metal or any non-toxic material suitable for agitating powders and liquids. The suspension post  420  can be connected to the lid similar to the connection with the base  415 , described above. 
       FIG. 5  depicts an embodiment of a fluid container with a blender disk disposed therein. A container  500  comprises a shell  505 , a lid  510 , a base  515 , and a straw  520 . The components of the container  500  can be similar to those described elsewhere herein. The straw  520  extends into the container  500  toward the base  515 . The blender disk  530  is loose fitting on the straw  520  and the blender disk  530  moves freely up and down the straw  520 . The blender disk  530  can be moved up and down the straw  520  by simple shaking, rotation, circular motions or other oscillations or random movement. The movement of the blender disk  530  up and down the straw generates additional inertia that works to lessen the effort needed to fully mix the contents of the container  500 . The blender disk  530  is prevented from falling off the straw  520  by the ring  540 . The ring  540  is sized and shaped to surround the straw  540  and to provide a friction fit to the straw  540 , and sized to have an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of a sleeve on the blender disk  530 , to prevent the blender disk  530  from coming off the end of the straw  520  as the blender disk  530  moves along the straw  520 . The ring  540  can be made of silicon, rubber, plastic, metal or any non-toxic material suitable for agitating powders and liquids. The ring  540  can be a flat disk shaped, parabolic, ellipsoidal, flattened parabolic, or any desired shape. 
     In some embodiments, the ring  540  is integrally formed with the straw  520 . In some embodiments, the blender disk  530  can form a tight fit with which prevents free movement on the straw  520 . As force is applied by shaking of the container  500 , the blender disk  530  moves up and down the straw  520  causing the agitation as described above. 
       FIG. 6  depicts an embodiment of a fluid container having a straw with a blender disk sheath removably connected thereto. A container  600  comprises a shell  605 , a lid  610 , and a base  615 . The shell  605  can be a hard or soft, impervious material for holding a fluid. The lid  610  can be removably attached to the shell  605  via threads, a friction fit and a gasket, or any other connection method known in the art. The shell  605  and lid  610  can be made from various plastics, metals, durable glass materials, or any non-toxic material suitable for containing and agitating powders and liquids. The lid  610  can include an outlet (not shown) built in to the lid, or an outlet may be accessible when the lid is removed. The container  600  also includes a sheath  640 . The sheath is attached to either the lid  610 , or the straw  620  or both. The sheath  640  comprises a substantially circular tube having a distal end and a proximal end. The straw  620  is inserted into the sheath  640  and can be disposed within the sheath  640  when the lid  610  is attached. In some embodiments, the straw  620  can be withdrawn, leaving the sheath  640  in place. The sheath  640  can be made from various plastics, metals, durable glass materials, or any non-toxic material suitable for containing and agitating powders and liquids. 
     A blender disk  630  is connected to an end of the sheath  640  opposite the end connected to the lid  610 . The blender disk  630  can be similar to those described elsewhere herein. The blender disk  630  can be fixedly or removably attached to the end of the sheath  640 . 
     To use the blender disk  130 , a user may add a fluid, such as water, to the shell  105 . The user may desire to add another substance, such as a powder or liquid flavor, a protein powder, a supplement, or other substance which can be advantageously mixed with the fluid in the container  100 . To mix the fluid and the added substance, a user agitates the container  100 . As the container  100  is agitated, the fluid and the added substance moves within the shell  105 . As the fluid impacts the blender disk  130 , the ribs  136  and the cross members  138  impede the flow path of the fluid. The fluid is forced through the voids  139  in the pattern of ribs  136  and cross members  138 , and a turbulent or agitated flow in the fluid is created. In the turbulent or agitated flow pattern, a substance added to the fluid can be advantageously mixed by the localized turbulent flow patterns around and throughout the blender disk  130 , which works to dissolve and/or disperse the substance into the bottle. The result of the agitation can be used to create a homogeneous mixture of the contents of the bottle. 
     In this section, certain specific details of the disclosed embodiments are set forth for purposes of explanation rather than limitation, so as to provide a clear and thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it should be understood readily by those skilled in this art, that the present invention may be practised in other embodiments which do not conform exactly to the details set forth herein, without departing significantly from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Further, in this context, and for the purposes of brevity and clarity, detailed descriptions of well-known apparatus, circuits and methodology have been omitted so as to avoid unnecessary detail and possible confusion. 
     The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 
     All numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches. 
     The above description discloses several methods and materials of the present invention. This invention is susceptible to modifications in the methods and materials, as well as alterations in the fabrication methods and equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this disclosure or practice of the invention disclosed herein. Consequently, it is not intended that this disclosure be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but that it cover all modifications and alternatives coming within the true scope and spirit of the disclosure as embodied in the attached claims.