Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/354,394, filed Jun. 24, 2016, and 62/431,939, filed Dec. 9, 2016, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosure relates to a packaging and dispensing system for use in workshops and home garages to safely ship and store all grades of motor oil. The disclosure also relates to a system for safely, accurately, and quickly dispensing motor oil into car engines. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Current systems for storing and dispensing motor oil are not resilient enough to stand up to the environmental rigors of a garage. These systems also are not fully recyclable, lead to cross-contamination, do not allow the user to completely empty the oil out of the package, and do not accurately dispense the oil into the pitcher. The current systems lead to inherent underlying inventory inaccuracies due to the inability to accurately measure the amount of fluid remaining. 
         [0004]    Current systems include the Castrol® enviro-Pack (“ePack”) system and “Bag in a Box” products.” The “Bag in a Box” system is not fully recyclable because the film used for the bag is not recyclable. The “Bag in a Box” system also lends itself to cross-contamination of fluids because users can use any dosing device (e.g., pitcher) they prefer, regardless of whether it was used for the same fluid in the past. The “Bag in a Box” system also does not allow the user to completely empty all of the motor oil out of the package as some oil remains in the bag. 
         [0005]    Thus, there is a need for a fully recyclable system for storing and accurately dispensing fluids such as motor oil. The system also needs means to prevent cross-contamination of fluids. Furthermore, the system and method of use needs to be ergonomically friendly. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In one aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed. The fluid dispensing system comprises a container comprising an open end, wherein fluid is provided within the container; a dosing mechanism associated with the container; and a fluid receptacle, wherein the fluid receptacle is releasably engageable with the container or the dosing mechanism; wherein actuating the dosing mechanism releases a dose of fluid from the container into the fluid receptacle. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, a fluid dosing system is disclosed, wherein the dosing mechanism is provided with a cup feature comprising a first region forming the base of the cup feature and a second region forming the rim of the cup feature, wherein the cup feature contains a volume of fluid and wherein the open end of the container is positionable submerged in the volume of fluid in the first region of the cup feature to form a hydrostatic seal. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, a fluid dosing system is disclosed, wherein the first region of the cup feature retains a volume of fluid when the open end of the container is removed. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a fluid dosing system is disclosed, wherein the cup feature is provided with a piercing member disposed centrally within the cup feature in order to pierce the pierce-able membrane as the open end of the container is inserted into the dosing mechanism. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the dose of fluid is a fixed dose of fluid, and wherein the fixed dose of fluid is set by the dosing mechanism. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the dose of fluid is set by a user. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the dosing mechanism is connected to the open end of the container, wherein the open end of the container comprises a pierce-able membrane, and wherein the dosing mechanism punctures the pierce-able membrane when connected to the container. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the container comprises a crushable fluid reservoir. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the container is oblong. 
         [0015]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the container is conical. 
         [0016]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the container comprises at least one handle. 
         [0017]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the container comprises an integrated measuring indicator. 
         [0018]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the dosing mechanism comprises a non-rotatable switch. 
         [0019]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the dosing mechanism comprises a rotatable switch. 
         [0020]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the switch is configured to have a first position and a second position. 
         [0021]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the first position of the switch is configure to prevent the fluid from entering the fluid receptacle, and in the second position, the switch is configured to enable the fluid to flow into the fluid receptacle. 
         [0022]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the switch is configured such that a first activation initiates the flow of fluid into the fluid receptacle and a second activation terminates the flow of fluid into the fluid receptacle. 
         [0023]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the switch is configured such that the fluid is dispensed only when the switch is held in the second position. 
         [0024]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the switch is a push button, a rocker switch or a sliding switch. 
         [0025]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the dosing mechanism comprises one of: a keypad, a touch-sensitive screen, a dial, or a lock mechanism. 
         [0026]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the dosing mechanism comprises a valve positioned between the container and the fluid receptacle, and actuating the switch actuates the valve. 
         [0027]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the container and/or the fluid receptacle are manufactured from an oleophobic material. 
         [0028]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the fluid is lubricating motor oil. 
         [0029]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the container comprises a first coding feature indicating the type of fluid provided within the container, the dosing mechanism comprises a second coding feature and the fluid receptacle comprises a third coding feature, and wherein the first coding feature, second coding feature and third coding feature match. 
         [0030]    In another aspect, a method of dispensing a fluid using the fluid dispensing system is provided. 
         [0031]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, comprising a container comprising an open end, wherein a fluid is provided in the container, and a dosing mechanism associated with the container, wherein the dosing mechanism is provided with a cup feature, the cup feature comprising a first region forming the base of the cup feature and a second region forming the rim of the cup feature, wherein the cup feature contains a volume of fluid and wherein the open end of the container is positionable submerged in the volume of fluid in the first region of the cup feature to form a hydrostatic seal. 
         [0032]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the first region of the cup feature retains a volume of fluid when the open end of the container is removed. 
         [0033]    In another aspect, a fluid dispensing system is disclosed, wherein the cup feature is provided with a piercing member disposed centrally within the cup feature in order to pierce the pierce-able membrane as the open end of the container is inserted into the dosing mechanism. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure, and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention and various ways in which it may be practiced. 
           [0035]      FIG. 1A  shows a high-level view of a system of the present disclosure, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0036]      FIG. 1B  shows a dosing mechanism and a fluid receptacle, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0037]      FIG. 1C  shows a cup arrangement for creating a hydrostatic seal, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0038]      FIG. 2A  shows a system of the present disclosure, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0039]      FIG. 2B  shows a container, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0040]      FIG. 2C  shows an overcap and membrane assembly, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0041]      FIG. 2D  shows a container, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0042]      FIG. 2E  shows a dosing mechanism, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0043]      FIG. 2F  shows a dosing mechanism attached to a pole, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0044]      FIG. 2G  shows a fluid receptacle with a valve release trigger, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0045]      FIG. 3  shows a method dispensing a fluid, according to an example embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     I. INTRODUCTION 
       [0046]    Systems and methods for packaging/storing and dispensing a fluid, such as lubricating motor oil, are described herein. In particular, embodiments may take the form of or relate to a system comprising a container, a dosing mechanism, and a fluid receptacle. The system may be vertically positioned such that the fluid receptacle is gravity filled. The system may be reusable (i.e., refillable) or disposable. 
         [0047]    The present disclosure has advantages over current systems for dispensing lubricating motor oil because it is fully recyclable, utilizes coding features or labels to help eliminate cross-contamination issues, and allows the user to completely empty the container of motor oil. The present system is also ergonomically friendly. 
         [0048]    In high-level illustrative implementation, as shown in  FIG. 1A , a fluid dispensing system  100  may comprise a container  102 , a dosing mechanism  104 , and a fluid receptacle  106 . The container  100  may comprise at least one open end  108  located at the bottom of the container  102 . The open end  108  may be covered by a membrane or other pierce-able cover, or by a removable or re-usable cap or cover. A fluid, such as motor oil, may be provided within the container  102 . The fluid dispensing system  100  may also be used to store and dispense other fluids, such as transmission fluids, brake fluids, and other ancillary automotive fluids. The dosing mechanism  104  may be releasably connected to the container  102 . In an example embodiment, the dosing mechanism  104  is connected to the container at the open end  108 . The container  102  may be inserted into the dosing mechanism  104  and the dosing mechanism  104  may puncture the membrane at the open end  108  of the container  102 . The open end  108  may comprise a neck and the container  102  may be releasably locked into place at the neck. The dosing mechanism  104  may also be released to remove the container  102 . The dosing mechanism  104  may be configured to dispense a fixed dose of the fluid from the container  102 . Thus, the fluid receptacle  106  may be removed by a user in order to dispense the fluid into its desired location, e.g., to dispense motor oil into an automobile. The dosing mechanism  104  may provide the fixed dose of fluid into the fluid receptacle  106 . Fluid is only dispensed from the container  102  into the fluid receptacle  106  when the dosing mechanism  104  is in place. The fluid receptacle  106  may include a fluid level indicator in order to determine how much fluid is contained within. In practice, a user would fill the fluid receptacle  106  with the desired amount of fluid and then evacuate the entire amount. In alternative embodiments, the user may empty less than the entire amount of the receptacle. 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 1B , the container  102  may comprise a first coding feature  110 . The dosing mechanism  104  may also comprise a second coding feature  112  and the fluid receptacle  106  may comprise a third coding feature  114 . The coding features  110 ,  112 , and  114  may be labels indicating the type of fluid. These labels may help to avoid cross contamination as the user will be instructed only to use a container  102 , dosing mechanism  104 , and fluid receptacle  106  with matching labels. The coding features or labels may include unique colors and text. In other embodiments, the coding features or labels may be in Braille. 
         [0050]    The container  102  may comprise a blow molded crushable fluid reservoir, such as a blow molded environmentally sustainable fluid reservoir. In other embodiments, the container  102  may be an extruded container. The container  102  may be any shape that can hold a fluid, such as oblong, cylindrical, conical, or square. The container  102  may comprise at least one handle. The handle may be located on the sides or top of the container  102 . The container  102  may also comprise an integrated measuring indicator. The integrated measuring indicator may be provided on the outside of the container. 
         [0051]    In an example embodiment, the fluid receptacle  106  may comprise a trigger and a valve. The trigger may be configured to open and close the valve. In other embodiments, the fluid receptacle  106  may comprise a manual valve. The fluid receptacle  106  may also comprise an integrated measuring indicator. The integrated measuring indicator may be provided on the outside of the container. 
         [0052]    The fluid receptacle  106  may be in suspended attachment with the dosing mechanism  104 , meaning that the fluid receptacle  106  is not attached to a wall or other support. The dosing mechanism  104  may comprise a wall mount bracket for mounting the dosing mechanism  104  to a wall or attached to other dosing mechanisms and be capable of spinning on a pole. This configuration may allow for the suspended attachment of the fluid receptacle  106 . 
         [0053]    The dosing mechanism  104  may comprise a dispensing dial for dispensing a fixed dose of fluid into the fluid receptacle  106 . The dispensing dial may be a manual dispensing dial or a metered dispensing dial. 
         [0054]    In an example embodiment, the container  102 , reservoir of the dosing mechanism  104 , and/or the fluid receptacle  106  may be manufactured from an oleophobic material, such a naturally oleophobic material like HDPE. In alternative embodiments, the container  102 , reservoir of the dosing mechanism  104 , and/or the fluid receptacle  106  may have a non-stick internal coating, for example, LiquiGlide™ or other coatings known in the art. 
         [0055]    Various valve mechanisms may be used to retain the fluid in the container  102  once it is connected to the dosing mechanism  104 , as is shown in  FIG. 1C . Typically in use the container  102  will be positioned substantially vertically with the open end  108  positioned vertically downwards in the dosing mechanism  104  to enable fluid to flow via gravity (as shown by dashed lines in  FIG. 1C ). Alternatively a pump mechanism may be used to create a pressure within the container  102  to force the fluid to flow out of the open end  108 . One particularly advantageous mechanism is to exploit a hydrostatic seal to maintain the fluid within the container  102 . 
         [0056]    The hydrostatic pressure is the total pressure caused by the weight of the body of fluid within the container  102  against the open end  108 . As the volume of fluid decreases during dispensing, the hydrostatic pressure also increases due to the reduction in weight of fluid in the container  102 . In order to create a hydrostatic seal, the dosing mechanism is provided with a cup feature  116  into which the open end  108  of the container  102  is inserted. As described above, the open end  108  may be provided with pierce-able membrane or other cover to retain the fluid within the container  102  before use. The cup feature  116  is provided with a piercing member  118  disposed centrally within the cup in order to pierce the pierce-able membrane as the open end  108  of the container  102  is inserted into the dosing mechanism  104 . The cup feature  116  comprises a first region  120  forming the base of the cup feature  116  and a second region  122  forming the rim of the cup  116 . A volume of fluid  124 , for example, 7 ounces (200 ml), is retained within the first region  120  of the cup feature  116 . The open end  108  of the container  102  is positionable submerged in the volume of fluid in the first region of the cup to form a hydrostatic seal. The first region  120  of the cup feature  116  retains a volume of fluid when the open end  108  of the container  102  is removed. 
         [0057]    In use, once the pierce-able membrane on the open end  108  of the container  102  has been pierced and the container  102  inserted fully into the dosing mechanism  104 , the open end  108  of the container  102  is submerged below the surface  126  of the volume of fluid  124 . This ensures that the fluid within the container  102  does not leak out since the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid coupled with the submersion of the open end  108  of the container  102  creates a hydrostatic seal. As the fluid drains out of the container  102  during use, not only does the hydrostatic pressure decrease, if the container comprises a crushable fluid reservoir the container  102  may begin to crease and collapse, ready for removal from the dosing mechanism  104  for disposal and/or recycling. When the container  102  is removed or inserted from the dosing unit a small volume of fluid (sufficient to form a further hydrostatic seal with a full container  102 ) remains in the cup feature  116 . 
       II. EXAMPLE SYSTEMS 
       [0058]    Example configurations for fluid dispensing systems are illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-G . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIGS. 2A-G , fluid dispensing system  200  may comprise a container  202 , a dosing mechanism  204 , and a fluid receptacle  206 . In some embodiments, the fluid dispensing system  200  may comprise a plurality of containers  200 , a dosing mechanism  204 , and a plurality of fluid receptacles  206 . The dosing mechanism  204  may releasably connect the plurality of containers  200  to the plurality of fluid receptacles  206 . For example, the fluid dispensing system  200  may comprise four containers  200 , a dosing mechanism  204  with four cavities for insertion of the four containers, and four fluid receptacles  206 . A plurality of fluid dispensing systems  200  may also be provided. The container  202  may be a light-weight, crushable fluid reservoir  214  (see  FIG. 2B ). The container  202  may be a tall, vertical, oblong comprising an open end  208  with a plurality of handles  212 . The open end  208  may be located at the end of a neck  209 . The neck  209  may comprise a top portion  209   a  and a bottom portion  209   b.  The bottom portion  209   b  may be threaded in order to releasably connect the container  202  to the dosing mechanism  204 .  FIG. 2C  shows a cap or overcap  210  that may be threadably connected to the bottom portion  209   b  before the container  202  is connected to the dosing mechanism  204 . The bottom portion  209   b  may also include a pierce-able membrane  211 . 
         [0060]    The container  202  may include an integrated measuring indicator  213  on the container  202  (see  FIG. 2D ) in order to measure how much fluid is in the crushable fluid reservoir  214 . In some embodiments, the integrated measuring indicator  213  is located on at least one of the plurality of handles  212 , as shown in  FIG. 2D . The container  202  may also include labeling to indicate the brand and weight of the oil. The coding features or labels may include unique colors and text. In other embodiments, the coding features or labels may be in Braille. 
         [0061]    The dosing mechanism  204  of this example is shown in  FIG. 2E . The dosing mechanism  204  may be attached to the open end  208  of the container  202 . The dosing mechanism  204  may include a piercing member  217  to puncture or pierce the pierce-able membrane  211  of the container  202 . The dosing mechanism  204  may include a switch  216  for dispensing a fixed dose of fluid into the fluid receptacle  206 . In this example, the switch  216  is a non-rotatable switch. The switch  216  may be configured to have a first position and a second position. This could be where a push-button is used, such that the first position is the push-button in an un-pushed or non-actuated state, and the second position is where the push-button is pushed in, or in an actuated stated. In the first position, the switch  216  may be configured to prevent the fluid from entering the fluid receptacle  216 , and in the second position, the switch  216  is configured to enable the fluid flow into the fluid receptacle  206 . Alternatively, in another example, the switch  216  is configured such that a first activation initiates the flow of fluid into the fluid receptacle  206 , and a second activation terminates the flow of fluid into the fluid receptacle  206 . For a push-button this would be the equivalent of pushing the push-button into an actuated position and holding the push-button down in the actuated position until the correct volume of fluid is obtained at which point the push-button is released into a non-actuated position and the flow of fluid ceases. Therefore in this example, the switch  216  is configured such that the fluid is dispensed only when the switch  216  is held in the second position. The push-button may be one of: a push button, a rocker switch or a sliding switch. In a further example, the dosing mechanism  204  may comprise a valve  228  positioned between the container  202  and the fluid receptacle  206 , such that actuating the switch  216  actuates the valve  228 . The switch  216  may be one of a push-button, a rocker switch or a slider, and the push-button used in the examples above may be easily replaced by a rocker switch or a slider. Other mechanisms may be used to provide a switch. For example, the switch may also be a rotatable switch. Dispensing may occur by rotating or turning the switch. Additionally or alternatively, the dosing mechanism may also include one of: a keypad, a touchscreen, a dial, or a lock and key mechanism, as an alternative to the dial metered dosing mechanism above. Coding features may also be used, as described above. The container  202  comprises a first coding feature indicating the type of fluid provided within the container  202 , the dosing mechanism  204  comprises a second coding feature and the fluid receptacle  206  comprises a third coding feature, and wherein the first coding feature, second coding feature and third coding feature match. 
         [0062]    In some examples, the dosing mechanism  204  may be provided with an overflow arrangement  230 . The piercing of the pierce-able membrane  211  by the piercing member  217  creates a hydrostatic seal between the dosing mechanism  204  and the container  202 . Over time some fluid will escape the hydrostatic seal and needs to be collected for removal from the dispensing mechanism  204 . This is done by providing an outer cup  232  and an inner cup  234 , concentric with each other, such that overflow liquid first fills the inner cup  234  and then overflows into the outer cup  232 . To make sure that the fluid is collected for removal and does not overflow onto the hands of a user of the system  200  or onto the floor or the fluid receptacle  206 , an overflow pipe  236  is provided from the base of the outer cup  232  to below the valve  228  so that fluid can flow directly into the fluid receptacle  206 . 
         [0063]    The dosing mechanism  204  may also include a wall mount bracket  218 . The wall mount bracket  218  may allow the entire system  200  to be mounted to a wall without separately mounting the container  202  and/or the fluid receptacle  206 . In an alternative embodiment,  FIG. 2F  shows the dosing mechanism  204  attached to a pole  205  and resting on a ball bearing system to allow the entire fluid dispensing system  200  to spin and allow access to all four containers  200 . 
         [0064]    Fluid may be dispensed from the dosing mechanism  204  in volumes of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 quarts (0.95, 1.89, 2.84, 3.79, 4.73, or 5.68 Liters). The dosing mechanism  204  may be a multi-chamber reservoir to allow for accurate dosing, as shown in  FIG. 2E . The dosing mechanism  204  may include 1, 2, and 3 quart (0.95, 1.89, and 2.84 Liter) chambers. Walls  215   a  and  215   b  may divide the reservoir of the dosing mechanism  204  into three chambers  219   a ,  219   b , and  219   c  (for example, chambers holding 1, 2, and 3 quarts (0.95, 1.89, and 2.84 Liters)). The user may press the switch  216  to dispense the fluid in a volume of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 quarts (   0 . 95 ,  1 . 89 ,  2 . 84 ,  3 . 79 ,  4 . 73 ,  or 5.68 Liters), wherein the fluid will be dispensed from an individual chamber or combination of chambers. 
         [0065]    In alternative embodiments, the fluid receptacle may be manually filled without using the dosing mechanism  204 . In other embodiments, a user may control the dose set in the dosing mechanism. The user may “top off” or manually fill the fluid receptacle, but the fluid receptacle should be connected to the dosing mechanism  204  in order to allow manual filling. This helps to prevent cross-contamination. 
         [0066]      FIG. 2G  shows the fluid receptacle  206  of this example. The fluid receptacle  206  may include a top fill valve  220  with a gasket  222 , which may be releasably engageable with the dosing mechanism  204 . The fluid receptacle  206  may be in suspended attachment (i.e., attached to the dosing mechanism  204  which is attached to a wall or pole). 
         [0067]    The fluid receptacle  206  may comprise at least one handle  224 . In one embodiment, the handle  224  may provide an elbow style grip. A valve release trigger  226  may be provided on the handle to release the fluid receptacle  206  from the dosing mechanism  204  such that a user can use the fluid receptacle  206  to provide oil to a motor. The valve release trigger  226  may also be used by a user to dispense oil to the automobile. 
       III. EXAMPLE METHODS 
       [0068]    A method  300  of dispensing a fluid using the fluid dispensing system  100  is also provided, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The method may comprise step  302  of providing container  102  with an open end. The fluid may be provided within container  102 . The method may also comprise the step  304  of providing the dosing mechanism  104  connected to the container  102 . The dosing mechanism  104  may be configured to dispense a dose of the fluid from the container  102 . The method further comprises the step  306  of providing the fluid receptacle  106 . The fluid receptacle  106  may be releasably engageable with the dosing mechanism  104  and may be ergonomically shaped for ease of use. The method may also comprise the step  308  of dispensing the dose of the fluid from the dosing mechanism  104  into the fluid receptacle  106  and the step  310  of removing the fluid receptacle from the dosing mechanism  106 . The fluid receptacle  106  also may be ergonomically shaped, such that the user is easily able to dispense the fluid from the fluid receptacle  106 . 
         [0069]    In this method, the container  100  may also comprise a first coding feature  110 , the dosing mechanism  102  may comprise a second coding feature  112 , and the fluid receptacle  104  may comprise a third coding feature  114 . The user may use the coding features (for example, labels) to ensure that only the same type of fluid is present in the container, dosing mechanism, and fluid receptacle, thus preventing cross-contamination of different oil types. 
       IV. CONCLUSION 
       [0070]    Examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible embodiments, applications or modifications of the invention. Thus, various modifications and variations of the described methods and systems of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to the skilled artisan. 
         [0071]    It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, etc., described herein, as these may vary as the skilled artisan will recognize. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It also is to be noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “a fixture” is a reference to one or more fixtures and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0072]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. 
         [0073]    Any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that there is a separation of at least two units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if it is stated that the concentration of a component or value of a process variable such as, for example, size, angle size, pressure, time and the like, is, for example, from 1 to 90, specifically from 20 to 80, more specifically from 30 to 70, it is intended that values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32, etc. are expressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner. 
         [0074]    Particular methods, devices, and materials are described, although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention. The disclosures of all references and publications cited above are expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties to the same extent as if each were incorporated by reference individually.

Technology Category: f