CLEANING COMPOSITION PROVIDING A MOISTURE AND ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT BARRIER

Abstract

A composition which serves to clean and create of a protective barrier on a wide variety of materials to prevent the deterioration and degradation caused by exposure to moisture and sun over time.

Claims

1. A rust inhibition and cleaning composition comprising: 10-20% of a carnauba wax; 1-8% of a 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene; 10-25% of a glycerol ester of C14, C18 fatty acids; 1-5% of a mink oil; 10-20% of a glycerol monooleate; 1-8% of a tallow; 25-35% of a Stoddard solvent; 4-12% of a mineral spirits, a naptha, or a combination; 10-20% of a mineral oil; and 1-5% of a cleaning agent including: a monoterpene, a monoterpenoid, or a combination thereof.

2. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a fragrance.

3. The composition of claim 2 wherein said fragrance comprises 0.1-1% of said composition.

4. The composition of claim 2 wherein said fragrance includes citrus fragrance.

5. The composition of claim 4 wherein said fragrance includes orange fragrance.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning agent includes a monocyclic monoterpene.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning agent includes a monocyclic monoterpenoid.

8. The composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning agent includes D-limonene.

9. The composition of claim 1 comprising: about 11% carnauba wax; about 2% 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene; about 14% glycerol ester of C14, C18 fatty acids; about 2% mink oil; about 14% glycerol monooleate; about 3% tallow; about 30% Stoddard solvent; about 7% mineral spirits; about 16% a mineral oil; and about 2% D-limonene.

10. The composition of claim 1 comprising: about 11.01% carnauba wax; about 2.44% 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene; about 13.88% glycerol ester of C14, C18 fatty acids; about 1.88% mink oil; about 13.70% glycerol monooleate; about 2.84% tallow; about 29.22% Stoddard solvent; about 6.60% mineral spirits; about 15.93% a mineral oil; and about 2.00% D-limonene.

11. A method for applying a cleaning and rust inhibition composition to a surface of an inorganic object to be treated, the method comprising: providing a rust inhibition composition; heating the surface of the inorganic object to be treated to a temperature warm enough to melt or liquefy the rust inhibition composition on contact; applying the rust inhibition composition to the healed surface of the inorganic object to be treated, keeping the surface warm during the applying; and cooling the surface of the inorganic object to be treated back to room temperature after the step of applying; wherein the rust inhibition prevention composition comprises of a mixture of: 10-20% of a carnauba wax; 1-8% of a 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene; 10-25% of a glycerol ester of C14, C18 fatty acids; 1-5% of a mink oil; 10-20% of a glycerol monooleate; 1-8% of a tallow; 25-35% of a Stoddard solvent; 4-12% of a mineral spirits, a naptha, or a combination; 10-20% of a mineral oil; and 1-5% of a cleaning agent including: a monoterpene, a monoterpenoid, or a combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising a fragrance.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said fragrance comprises 0.1-1% of said composition.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said fragrance includes citrus fragrance.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said fragrance includes orange fragrance.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein said cloning agent includes a monocyclic monoterpene.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein said cleaning agent includes a monocyclic monoterpenoid.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein said cleaning agent includes D-limonene.

19. The method of claim 11 comprising: about 11% carnauba wax; about 2% 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene; about 14% glycerol ester of C14, C18 fatty acids; about 2% mink oil; about 14% glycerol monooleate; about 3% tallow; about 30% Stoddard solvent; about 7% mineral spirits; about 16% a mineral oil; and about 2% D-limonene.

20. The method of claim 11 comprising: about 11.01% carnauba wax; about 2.44% 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene; about 13.88% glycerol ester of C14, C18 fatty acids; about 1.88% mink oil; about 13.70% glycerol monooleate; about 2.84% tallow; about 29.22% Stoddard solvent; about 6.60% mineral spirits; about 15.93% a mineral oil; and about 2.00% D-limonene.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 provides a chart of the raw materials of an embodiment of the moisture and ultraviolet light barrier composition.

[0039] FIG. 2 provides a chart of the raw materials of an alternative embodiment of the moisture and ultraviolet light barrier composition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] This disclosure is intended to teach by way of example and not by way of limitation. The present disclosure focuses on a formulation for a composition which functions as a protective barrier against moisture, ultraviolet rays, stains, deposits, rust and fingerprints and other known deteriorating or degrading processes or substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art for a wide variety of materials. In one embodiment, this composition, in a simplified form, is comprised of a combination of waxes and water repellants. Also discussed herein are methods for the production of such compositions, along with various alternative methods of using such compounds in the prevention of water and sun deterioration or other known degrading processes on a wide variety of materials and products.

[0041] As noted previously, in its most general format, the composition disclosed herein is a rust inhibitor comprised of a combination of waxes and water repellants formed into a mixture. Any type of organic compound with a long alkyl chain that is malleable near ambient temperatures and is commonly known to those of skill in the art as a “wax” is contemplated as a wax component of the disclosed composition. Contemplated waxes include, but are not limited to: plant and animal waxes such as shellac wax, castor wax, carnauba wax and soy wax, petroleum waxes such as paraffin wax, mineral waxes such as ceresin wax, and synthetic waxes such as polyethylene wax. In certain embodiments, the contemplated wax in the composition is a shoe polish wax blend. Generally, any waxy colloidal emulsion shoe polish comprised of some or all of naptha, lanolin, turpentine, wax, gum Arabic, ethylene glycol and a colorant is contemplated. In preferred embodiments, the contemplated wax shoe polish will be comprised of carnauba wax. Commercial examples of contemplated shoe polish blends include, but are not limited to, Club Classic® paste polish, a carnauba wax blend. Further, organic water repellents are also contemplated as components in the disclosed composition. Generally, any organic water repellant known to those of ordinary skill in the art is contemplated as an organic water repellant component of the disclosed composition. Contemplated organic water repellents include animal oils, such as mink oil, and common alternatives thereto known to those of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., macadamia nut oil and sea buckthorn oil). However, it should be noted that, in certain embodiments, commercial water repellents could also be utilized.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, the composition disclosed herein is a combination cleaning product and rust inhibitor. In these compositions, the rust inhibitor is typically similar in composition to the rust inhibitor product alone. To this composition there is then added a cleaning product which is compatible with the rest inhibitor. This combined product serves to clean the target metal (or other material) while the rust inhibiting composition is applied. Thus, cleaning and rust inhibition can be completed in a single step. The cleaning material is preferably a monoterpene or monoterpenoid. It will typically be a monocyclic monoterpene or monoterpenoid such as, but not limited to, limonene or perillyl alcohol.

[0043] While the invention is not intended to be limited to any effect of the modality of the deterioration and degradation prevention composition, it is hypothesized that one explanation for the effectiveness of this composition in preventing the deterioration and degradation caused over time by water and sun in addition to its ability to protect surfaces from stains and oily deposits is that the water repellant qualities of the wax and water repellent blend impede the water or moisture necessary for deterioration and degradation to occur from coming into contact with the surface area of a treated material. Further, the barrier formed by application of the composition on the material can also act as a barrier to ultraviolet rays, preventing these rays from coming into direct contact with the material, which direct contact results in a breakdown of the material over time.

[0044] In one embodiment of the disclosed prevention composition, the composition comprises: carnauba wax and mink oil. In another embodiment of the disclosed prevention composition, the composition consists of: carnauba wax and mink oil. In yet another embodiment of the disclosed composition, the composition consists essentially of: a plant wax and animal oil. In still another embodiment of the disclosed composition, the composition consists essentially of: a palm wax and an animal oil. In another embodiment of the disclosed composition, the composition consists essentially of: a carnauba wax and mink oil. In yet another embodiment of the disclosed composition, the composition consists essentially of: carnauba wax blend and mink oil. In more complex embodiments of the disclosed composition, the composition is further comprised of tallow such as, but not limited to, bleached tallow. This further component adds, amongst other properties, lubrication properties to the resultant composition.

[0045] In another embodiment, the composition is further comprised of certain emulsifiers and solvents known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Contemplated emulsifiers and solvents include, but are not limited to, glycerol esters of fatty acids, glycerol monooleate, Stoddard solvents, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, mineral spirits, and naptha. However, it should be noted that this list is not exclusive, as any emulsifier or solvent known to those of ordinary skill in the art is contemplated as a possible component of the disclosed composition. Further, in another embodiment, the disclosed composition is further comprised of a dye known to those of ordinary skill in the art that is compatible with silicon and wax type materials such as, but not limited to, carbon black. Notably, the color of the dye is not determinative; the color of the dye can vary depending upon how and upon what material the composition will be utilized. In one embodiment where the dye is black, the resultant composition will be black. In yet another embodiment, the composition will be further comprised of a mineral oil known to those of ordinary skill in the art and a contemplated fragrance. Contemplated fragrances include, but are not limited to, fruit, plant, flower and freshener scents known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0046] Generally, contemplated ranges for certain components of the composition in various different embodiments of rust inhibitor comprise, consist of, or consist essential of: about 10-20% carnauba wax blend; about 1-8% 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene; about 10-20% glycerol ester of C14, C18 fatty acids; about 1-5% of mink oil; about 10-20% glycerol monooleate; about 1-8% tallow; about 25-45% Stoddard solvent; about 4-12% mineral spirits/naptha; and about 0.2-1.5% carbon black dye. In a preferred embodiment of the composition, the specific percentages of the components are as follows: about 15% carnauba wax; about 3% 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene; about 15% glycerol ester of C14, C18 fatty acids; about 2% of mink oil; about 14.6% glycerol monooleate; about 3% tallow; about 40% Stoddard solvent; about 7% mineral spirits/naptha; and about 0.4% carbon black dye. FIG. 1 provides a chart of the raw materials of an embodiment of this specific preferred embodiment of the disclosed prevention composition. Notably, however, in no way is this listing of ranges and specific percentages intended to be exhaustive, as other ranges could be contemplated in additional embodiments of the composition.

[0047] In an alternative embodiment of the prevention and inhibition composition, generally for use in the home-goods industry amongst other applications, the specific percentages of the components are as follows: about 10.85% carnauba wax blend; about 2.40% 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene; about 13.68% glycerol ester of C14, C18 fatty acids; about 1.85% mink oil; about 13.5% glycerol monooleate; about 2.8% tallow; about 28.8% Stoddard solvent; about 6.5% mineral spirits/naptha; about 15.7% mineral oil; and about 3.92% citrus fragrance.

[0048] In embodiments of compositions for both cleaning and rust inhibition, the cleaning agent will be added to any of the above rust inhibiting compositions in an amount of about 1% to about 5% of the total resultant composition being cleaning agent and about 95% to about 99% being a rust inhibiting composition of the types contemplated above. In other embodiments, the cleaning agent comprises about 1.5% to about 3% of the total resultant composition being cleaning agent and about 97% to about 98.5% being a rust inhibiting composition of the types contemplated above. In still further embodiments, the cleaning agent comprises about 2% of the total resultant composition being cleaning agent and about 98% being a rust inhibiting composition of the types contemplated above. The cleaning agent will preferably be a monocyclic monoterpene such as, but not limited to, D-limonene. It should be apparent that the inclusion of the cleaning agent may alter the relative percentage of components of the rust inhibition composition in the resulting cleaning and inhibiting compound in an expected fashion.

[0049] In an alternative embodiment for a cleaning and inhibiting composition, which is particularly useful for small machines, such as, but not limited to, firearms amongst other applications, the rust inhibiting composition is altered so as to include an increased amount of mineral oil, which can make it more flowable, and the dye is removed to eliminate color. In an embodiment, the resulting composition comprises about 10-20% of a carnauba wax; about 1-8% of a 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene; about 10-25% of a glycerol ester of C14, C18 fatty acids; about 1-5% of a mink oil; about 10-20% of a glycerol monooleate; about 1-8% of a tallow; about 25-35% of a Stoddard solvent; about 4-12% of a mineral spirits, a naptha, or a combination; about 10-20% of a mineral oil; and about 1-5% of a monoterpene.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment the specific percentages of the components comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of: carnauba wax blend about 11%; 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene about 2%; glycerol ester of C14, C18 fatty acids about 14%; mink oil (mixed C12 to C-20) about 2%; glycerol monooleate about 14%; bleached tallow about 3%; Stoddard Solvent about 30%; mineral spirits or naptha about 7%; heavy mineral oil about 16%; and D-limonene about 2%. The composition may include less than 1% fragrance such as, but not limited to citrus, lemon, or orange fragrance.

[0051] In a still further embodiment for a cleaning and inhibiting composition, the composition of components are as follows: carnauba wax blend about 11.01%; 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene about 2.44%; glycerol ester of C14, C18 fatty acids about 13.88%; mink oil (mixed C12 to C-20) about 1.88%; glycerol monooleate about 13.70%; bleached tallow about 2.84%; Stoddard Solvent about 29.22%; mineral spirits or naptha about 6.60%; heavy mineral oil about 15.93%; and D-limonene about 2.00%. The composition may include about 0.25% citrus fragrance and about 0.25% orange fragrance.

[0052] Generally, the prevention and inhibition composition disclosed herein may take any form known to those of ordinary skill in the art now or in the future for protective barriers and prevention coatings or inhibitors including, but not limited to: a cream, a paste, a solution, a liquid, a lotion, an ointment and/or a gel.

[0053] In certain embodiments, the prevention and inhibition composition will be applied as follows. First, the surface of the object to be treated will be heated to a temperature warm enough to melt or liquefy the rust prevention and inhibition composition on contact. In one embodiment, this will be about 100° F.-140° F., preferably about 120° F. Then, the prevention and inhibition composition will be added to the surface of the object to be treated, keeping the surface warm during the application. In one embodiment, this application will occur with a soft-bristle brush. Once the application is complete, the treated object will be allowed to cool back to normal room temperature. In other modes of application, the surface of the object to be treated will not be heated; the composition will simply be applied by another methodology known to those of ordinary skill in the art that does not require a preheating of the material surface (e.g., spreading, brushing, spraying, etc. to a room temperature surface).

[0054] In other embodiments, in particular for the embodiment of the prevention and inhibition composition for the homo-goods industry, the composition is applied to the desired surface with a soft cloth, paper towel, sponge, brush or other application mechanism known to those of ordinary skill in the art. After application, the desired surface will be wiped or buffed clean. This application process can be repeated as needed. Desired surfaces for application include, but are not limited to, stainless steel, glass, leather, vinyl, cardboard, copper, sterling silver, fiberglass, aluminum and brass.

[0055] In one embodiment, the disclosed rust prevention composition is created by the following process. In a first step, the carnauba wax blend, 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene, glycerol ester of C14-C18 fatty acid, mink oil, glycerol monooleate, bleached tallow, Stoddard solvent, mineral spirits/naptha and carbon black dye are all healed by a method known to those of ordinary skill in the art until they liquefy. In one embodiment of this first step, the carnauba wax will be liquefied by placing a quantity of the carnauba wax (such as 5 gallons) into a heating mechanism (such as a heat box) which is heated to a temperature of about 175° F. for about 5-6 hours. In another embodiment of this first step, the 1,2,4 trimethylbenzene, glycerol ester of C14-C18 fatty acid, mink oil, glycerol monooleate, bleached tallow, Stoddard solvent, mineral spirits/naptha and carbon black dye will all be placed into a heating mechanism known to those of ordinary skill in the art (such as an oven) which is heated to about 140° F.-145° F.

[0056] In a second step, a container is heated to about 140° F.-200° F., in a preferred embodiment to about 175° F. Generally, any container or heating mechanism known to those of ordinary skill in the art is contemplated. In one embodiment, an aluminum or stainless steel container is utilized. In another embodiment, the container is heated to the applicable temperature by placing the container over heated coils. In a third step, the carnauba wax is added to the pre-heated container. In this step, the carnauba wax is maintained at a temperature within the range of about 140° F.-200° F., preferably about 175° F. for a period of about 30 minutes. In one embodiment of this step, the carnauba wax will be stirred by a stirring mechanism known to those of ordinary skill in the art at regular time intervals, in one embodiment at three (3) minute time intervals.

[0057] In a fourth step, the glycerol monooleate, Stoddard solvent, mineral spirits and naptha will be added to the carnauba wax and the temperature of the mixture will be maintained at within the range of about 140° F.-200° F., preferably about 175° F. for a period of about 3-5 minutes. In one embodiment of this step, the mixture will be stirred by a stirring mechanism known to those of ordinary skill in the art for a certain time period, in one embodiment for about 30 seconds. In a fifth step, the carbon black dye is added to the mixture. In one embodiment of this step, the mixture will be stirred by a stirring mechanism known to those of ordinary skill in the art for a certain time period, in one embodiment for about 1-2 minutes.

[0058] In a sixth step, the mixture will be maintained at a temperature within the range of about 140° F.-200° F. preferably about 175° F. for a certain time period. In a preferred embodiment, the mixture will be maintained at a temperature within the range of about 140° F.-200° F., preferably about 175° F. for about five (5) minutes. At the end of this allocated time period, in a seventh step, the mixture will be stirred by a stirring mechanism known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0059] In an eighth step, the resultant mixture will be dispensed and allowed to cool and cure to room temperature by methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment of the disclosed process, about 640 ounces of the carnauba wax; about 31.60 ounces of animal oil; about 31.60 ounces of trimethylbenzene. Stoddard solvent and naptha (equal parts combined and about 2.25 ounces of carbon black 70 dye) will be utilized.

[0060] In the alternative embodiment of the prevention composition for the home-goods industry, another contemplated method for creating the composition is as follows. First, the carnauba wax, trimethylbenzene and Stoddard solvent are combined and heated to about 175° F. In a second step, the glycerol esters, animal oil, glycerol monooleate and bleached tallow are heated separately from the first combination to about 140° F. In a third step, the second combination is added to the first combination. In a fourth step, the mineral spirits are heated to about 140° F. and added to the mix. In a fifth step, the mineral oil is added and mixed. In a sixth step, the fragrance is added. In a seventh step, the mixture is heated to about 170° F. and stirred for about 5 minutes. In a final step, the resultant mixture is dispensed and allowed to cool and cure to room temperature by methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0061] Regardless of the method used above, the cleaning agent may be added to the composition when forming the rust inhibiting composition to form the cleaning and inhibiting composition, or the rust inhibiting composition nay be completely formed as contemplated above and the cleaning composition then added to that composition.

[0062] The advantages of the disclosed prevention composition are its ability to act as a protective barrier against moisture and ultraviolet rays for the material upon which it is applied, thereby inhibiting and preventing the deterioration and degradation caused by these elements over time, even in extreme conditions. When the cleaning agent has been added, the combined cleaning and rust inhibiting composition can serve to both clean and protect a metal or other surface in a single application step using any of the application methods contemplated herein.

[0063] Preliminary testing has shown that the disclosed compositions have the ability to prevent the formation of rust in numerous extreme conditions including thermal shock conditions, 1000 hour salt fog (60% solution) conditions, acid exposure conditions, abrasive testing conditions, and salt spray (92% solution) conditions. In each of the preliminary testing environments, the disclosed composition was applied to a steel tie rod end followed by an adequate cure time known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Following the cure period, the treated rod was exposed to each of five preliminary testing environments as follows:

[0064] Thermal Shock Test

[0065] In the thermal shock test, a treated rod was exposed to extreme temperatures within the range of about −140° F. to 135° F. for about 10 hours. Specifically, in this test the component was heated to 135° F. and then the temperature was cycled to about −140° F. at various intervals, ranging from about 5 minutes to about 1 hour. This cyclic temperature change was repeated for about 10 hours. The completion of the 10 hour thermal shock test revealed no measurable degree of deterioration, corrosion or discoloration of the treated rod. In this test, the composition provided 100% durability.

[0066] 1000 Hour Salt Fog (60% Solution) Test

[0067] In the salt fog test, a treated rod was exposed to about a 60% salt solution for about 1000 hours. Specifically, in this test the component was placed in a salt fog chamber for about 1000 hours and exposed to a 60% salt solution. After the completion of the test, the treated rod was removed and inspected visually and with a magnifying scope. The inspection revealed no measurable degree of deterioration, discoloring, corrosion, or degradation to the coating or the treated rod. Thus, live prevention composition provided remarkable protection and corrosion resistance, providing 100% corrosion protection and durability.

[0068] Acid Exposure Test

[0069] In the acid exposure test, a treated rod was exposed to a hydrochloric acid solution for about ½ hour. Specifically, in this test the treated rod was placed in a sealed chamber and exposed to a diluted solution of 38% hydrochloric acid. As known to those of ordinary skill in the art, a diluted solution of hydrochloric acid will quickly rust mild steel components. The treated rod was then exposed to an intermittent spray of the diluted acid solution for about ½ hour. Upon completion of the test, the treated rod was removed for inspection. The inspection revealed no measurable degree of deterioration, discoloring or corrosion; the prevention composition had provided 100% protection and durability. Further, the inspection revealed that the acid solution remained on the surface of the treated rod without any measurable penetration of the coating of the disclosed prevention composition.

[0070] Abrasive (Impact) Test

[0071] In the abrasive (impact) test, a treated rod was exposed to simulated abrasive materials for about an hour. In this test, the treated rod was placed in a sealed chamber and exposed to a variety of different materials including but not limited to ground glass, sand and rock for about an hour. The abrasive materials were generally applied to the treated rod at about 30 psi from a distance of about 17 mm. After-testing inspection revealed that the treated rod was not damaged during the testing, no visible signs of damage or pitting were evident in the coating of the prevention material or on the rod. In sum, the treated rod showed 100% durability in this test.

[0072] Salt Spray Test (92% Solution)

[0073] In the salt spray test, a treated rod was exposed to a salt spray solution which contained about 92% brine solution for about 60 hours at about 15 psi spray pressure and about 60 percent humidity. Notably, this is an extremely high solution of salt saturation. Specifically, in the lest the treated rod was placed in a salt spray container containing about a 92% Brine solution. The treated rod was exposed to the 92% solution for about 60 hours with a 15 psi spray pressure during the test. An inspection following the test revealed no measurable degree of deterioration, discoloring or corrosion. The 92% salt spray (a highly concentrated solution with properties that will quickly corrode metal) test revealed that the prevention composition provided excellent protection from the corrosive effects of the testing solution; 100% protection and durability was demonstrated upon inspection.

[0074] In sum, these preliminary test results reveal the remarkable protection and durability from moisture provided to iron and iron alloys by the prevention composition disclosed herein. This same protection from the damage caused by moisture and sunlight is also believed provided to other materials upon which the composition is applied including but not limited to metals (e.g., stainless steel, iron, aluminum, precious metals, etc.), plastics, vinyl, wood, rubber and any other materials that are at risk for deterioration and degradation from exposure to moisture and ultraviolet rays over time. Further, the disclosed composition can also be utilized for other useful functions to prevent certain moistures, oils or other substances from coming into contact with treated materials. The prevention of fingerprints and smudges on stainless steel coated with the disclosed composition is one such example. The prevention of deterioration from acid rain on treated metals and other materials is another example.

[0075] While the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a description of certain embodiments, including those that are currently relieved to be useful embodiments, the detailed description is intended to be illustrative and should not be understood to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, embodiments other than those described in detail herein are encompassed by the present invention. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0076] It will further be understood that any of the ranges, values, properties, or characteristics given for any single component of the present disclosure can be used interchangeably with any ranges, values, properties, or characteristics given for any of the other components of the disclosure, where compatible, to form an embodiment having defined values for each of the components, as given herein throughout. Further, ranges provided for a genus or a category can also be applied to species within the genus or members of the category unless otherwise noted.

[0077] The qualifier “generally,” and similar qualifiers as used in the present case, would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to accommodate recognizable attempts to conform a device to the qualified term, which may nevertheless fall short of doing so. This is because terms such as “parallel” are purely geometric constructs and no real-world component or relationship is truly “parallel” in the geometric sense. Variations from geometric and mathematical descriptions are unavoidable due to, among other things, manufacturing tolerances resulting in shape variations, defects and imperfections, non-uniform thermal expansion, and natural wear. Moreover, there exists for every object a level of magnification at which geometric and mathematical descriptors fail due to the nature of matter. One of ordinary skill would thus understand the term “generally” and relationships contemplated herein regardless of the inclusion of such qualifiers to include a range of variations from the literal geometric meaning of the term in view of these and other considerations.