1. Patent Search
  2. Details

BOTTLE AND BOTTLE PARTS CLEANING AND WASHING SYSTEM

20250160603 ยท 2025-05-22

    Inventors

    Cpc classification

    International classification

    Abstract

    The bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system can include a bottle washing station, a rinsing station, a vent washing station, a nipple washing station, and a cap washing station. The system has a base that has a top and base sidewalls forming an inner compartment with a plurality of containers. The base supports a tank and is equipped with a pump and a motor. The tank can be configured to accept washing and/or rinsing fluid. The pump can be connected to the tank and the containers. The containers can be designed for washing different parts of a bottle and include a washing container, a nipple washing container, a vent container, a rinsing container, and a cap container. Each washing station can be equipped with specific features to facilitate efficient cleaning of the respective bottle parts. The bottle brush, nipple cap, and vent brush are removable from the system.

    Claims

    1. A bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system for a bottle including a bottle, a nipple, a cap, and a vent, the cleaning and washing system comprising: a base; a plurality of stations coupled to the base, the stations selected from the list comprising a bottle washing station, a rinsing station, a vent washing station, a nipple washing station and a cap washing station; and a tank in fluid communication with at least one of the stations.

    2. The bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system of claim 1 wherein the base has a top and base sidewalls extending from the top forming an inner compartment wherein the top defines each of the stations and wherein the base has a platform that is configured to support the tank wherein the platform extends laterally outward from at least one of the sidewalls and wherein the tank is detachably coupled to the base.

    3. The bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system of claim 1 wherein the tank has at least one inner container configured to accept as least one of a washing fluid and/or a rinsing fluid.

    4. The bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system of claim 3 wherein the base encloses at least one pump having a supply line coupled to the at least one tank and an exit line coupled to at least one of the stations and wherein the base encloses at least one motor that operates at least one station.

    5. The bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system of claim 2 wherein the top is contoured to define a station bottom and station sidewalls for each station.

    6. The bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of stations comprises a bottle washing station having a brush support and a brush receiver wherein the brush receiver slides axially in and out of the brush support.

    7. The bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system of claim 6 wherein the bottle washing station further comprises a bottle brush having a rod extending upright from a lower end to an upper end with at least one jet hole spaced on the rod having a plurality of bristles projecting outwardly from the rod.

    8. The bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system of claim 7 wherein the bottle brush is removably coupled to the brush support allowing the user to remove the brush and attach a handle and wherein the bottle brush and/or brush receiver is axially rotated by at least one motor.

    9. The bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system of claim 1 wherein the nipple has an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the plurality of stations comprises a nipple washing station having a nipple base configured to be support a nipple brush that is shaped to conform to the nipple, and a nipple cap removably and rotatably coupled to the nipple base allowing the user to rotate the cap around a nipple and clean the inner surface and the outer surface.

    10. The bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system of claim 1 wherein the vent has an inner surface and an outer surface and wherein the plurality of stations comprises a vent washing station having vent receiver with a plurality of receiver bristles, and a vent brush having a hollow vent rod with a plurality of vent brush bristles, the vent brush having a vent upper end and vent lower end and a generally frustoconical shape, wherein the vent brush is removably coupled to the vent receiver.

    11. The bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system of claim 10 wherein the vent brush is removed from the vent receiver and coupled to a vent handle when not coupled to the vent receiver.

    12. The bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system of claim 5 wherein the rinsing station comprises the rinsing container wherein a rinsing receiver is coupled to the rinsing station wherein the rinsing receiver is slidably coupled to a receiver support, wherein the rinsing receiver has a locating element with a rinsing opening that is coupled to the exit line to the at least one pump.

    13. The bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system of claim 5 wherein the cap washing station comprises a cap receiver that is coupled to the cap container wherein the cap receiver comprises a cap brush having a plurality of bristles coupled to at least one cap receiver sidewall.

    14. A bottle vent cleaner for washing a vent having an outer surface with an outer surface shape, and an inner surface with an inner surface shape, the vent cleaner comprising: a cavity having side walls and a bottom, the side walls having bristles configured to accommodate the outer surface shape and brush the outer surface when the vent is inserted into the cavity; a brush coupled to the bottom of the cavity shaped to conform to the inner surface shape.

    15. The bottle vent cleaner of claim 14, wherein the brush is removable.

    16. The bottle vent cleaner of claim 14 further comprising a base defining the cavity, wherein the base comprises a tank in fluid communication with the cavity to provide a washing fluid to the cavity to wash the vent.

    17. A bottle cleaner for cleaning a bottle having an interior, a bottle width, and a bottle length that is greater than the width, the bottle cleaner comprising: a washing fluid source; a brush shaped to conform to the interior of the bottle, the brush comprising a base; a central rod extending from the base and being in fluid communication with the washing fluid source, the rod having a rod length; a cleaning surface having an exterior and an interior; a plurality of jet holes dispersed along the length of the rod to dispense a fluid from the washing fluid source to the interior of the cleaning surface.

    18. The bottle cleaner of claim 17, further comprising a motor to rotate the brush.

    19. The bottle cleaner of claim 17, wherein the jet holes are in the central rod or in a tube that runs along the rod length.

    20. The bottle cleaner of claim 17 wherein the cleaning surface is formed by a plurality of bristles or a sponge material.

    Description

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

    [0016] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.

    [0017] FIG. 1 shows an isometric top front view of a bottle and bottle parts cleaning and

    [0018] washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0019] FIG. 2 shows an isometric top back view of a bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0020] FIG. 3 shows an isometric bottom front view of a bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0021] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of a bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0022] FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of a bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system with a bottom cover omitted in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0023] FIG. 6 shows isometric back view of a bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system with a hollow cover shown in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0024] FIG. 7 shows top view of a bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system with a hollow cover shown in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0025] FIG. 7a shows cross-sectional A-A view of FIG. 7 of a bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system with a hollow cover shown in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0026] FIG. 7b shows cross-sectional B-B view of FIG. 7 of a bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system with a hollow cover shown in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0027] FIG. 7c shows cross-sectional C-C view of FIG. 7 of a bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system with a hollow cover shown in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0028] FIG. 8 shows front isometric view of a bottle washing station of the bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0029] FIG. 9 shows front isometric view of a nipple washing station of the bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0030] FIG. 10 shows front isometric view of a vent washing station of the bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0031] FIG. 11 shows front isometric view of a vent washing station of the bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0032] FIG. 12 shows front isometric view of a rinsing station of the bottle and bottle parts cleaning and washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0033] FIG. 13a shows cross-sectional, close-up view of FIG. 7 of a rinsing station of the bottle and bottle parts washing system in its closed position in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0034] FIG. 13b shows cross-sectional, close-up view of FIG. 7 of a rinsing station of the bottle and bottle parts washing system in its open washing position in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0035] FIG. 14 shows back isometric view of a bottle washing station of the bottle and bottle parts washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0036] FIG. 15 shows back isometric view of a vent washing station of the bottle and bottle parts washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0037] FIG. 16 shows front isometric view of a nipple washing station of the bottle and bottle parts washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0038] FIG. 17 shows back isometric view of a rinsing station of the bottle and bottle parts washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0039] FIG. 18 shows front isometric view of a cap washing station of the bottle and bottle parts washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0040] FIG. 19a shows front isometric view of a brush assembled of the bottle and bottle parts washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0041] FIG. 19b shows exploded front isometric view of a brush disassembled of the bottle and bottle parts washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0042] FIG. 20a shows front isometric view of a vent brush assembled of the bottle and bottle parts washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments;

    [0043] FIG. 20b shows exploded front isometric view of a vent brush disassembled of the bottle and bottle parts washing system in accordance to one or more embodiments; and

    [0044] FIG. 21 is a highly generalized schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of a machine for washing articles for use by children.

    [0045] Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.

    DETAILED DESCRIPTION

    [0046] In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices, and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.

    [0047] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-6 a bottle and bottle parts washing system is shown generally at 50. The bottle and bottle parts washing system 50 can be used for washing articles for children, especially baby bottles 152 having a baby bottle nipple 190, a baby bottle vent 262, and a baby bottle cap 370. The bottle and bottle parts washing system 50 can be portable and readily positioned atop a countertop or table, easy to use, water efficient and inexpensive. The bottle washing apparatus 50 can have a base 52 that comprise a plurality of washing stations coupled to the base, the stations selected from the list comprising rinsing station 66, a bottle washing station 60, a vent washing station 64, a nipple washing station 62 and a cap washing station 68. The rinsing station 66 can wash the inside of the bottle 152 and the bottle washing station 60 can clean the inside of the bottle. The vent washing station 64 can wash the inside of the vent 260. The nipple washing station 62 can wash a baby bottle nipple 190, and the cap washing station 68 can wash the bottle cap 370 that compresses a portion of the nipple between the cap and the bottle top.

    [0048] The base 52 can comprise a top 76 which can be contoured to define a station bottom and station sidewalls for each station. The top 76 can have base sidewalls 70 extending from the top to a lower edge 72 at the bottom of the base wherein the base can be hollow forming an inner compartment 78 wherein the top defines each of the stations. The top 76 can have an upper edge 74 wherein the upper edge can be formed into the base sidewalls 70 creating a hollow structure with an inner compartment 78 to accommodate the components of the washing stations. The top 76 is the machine's 50 upwardly-facing user interface where a user accesses the various washing stations. The washing stations can extend downward from the top into an inner compartment 78 defined by the sidewall 70 and the top 76. The base 52 can be made of one or more of such as, for example, metal, plastic, ceramic, composite, or the like. The base 52 can have a platform 54 that can be configured to support a tank 56 wherein the platform can extend laterally outward from at least one of the sidewalls 70 wherein the tank can be in fluid communication with at least one of the stations.

    [0049] The tank 56 can have at least one inner container configured to accept at least one of such as, for example, washing fluid, rinsing fluid, or any combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment the tank can have two separate containers divided by a partition within the tank 56 wherein the separate containers can be a washing fluid container 57 and a rinsing fluid container 59. The tank 56 can be configured to be filled or re-filled via at least one dedicated, openable port with the washing fluid or the rinsing fluid wherein the port can be plugged with a plug when not refilling. The washing fluid can be any suitable liquid soap composition, and one adapted to be filled and refilled via a dedicated, openable port with a rinsing fluid that can be water. In certain embodiments, the soap and washing fluid can be mixed before or after exiting the tank allowing the user to keep washing fluid and the rinsing fluid as separate components within the two containers without having to pre-mix the two fluids. The tank 56 can be made from such as, for example, metal, plastic, composite, ceramic, or the like. In certain embodiments, the tank 56 can be more than one tank allowing the user to put different washing and rinsing fluids within the tank such as, for example, one tank can have a washing fluid and the rinsing fluid can be connected to a port and a valve and tubing to a faucet allowing for the user to unlimited water when coupled to the faucet.

    [0050] In embodiments, the base 52 encloses at least one pump 80 can be coupled to the base having at least one supply line coupled to the tank 56 and at least one exit line that can be coupled to the at least one of the plurality of containers through the wherein the supply line and exit line can be plumbing 82, as described below. The at least one pump 52 can be such as, for example, a fluid pump, centrifugal pump, positive displacement pump, magnetic drive pumps, vane pumps, inline pumps, or the like. The at least one pump 80 can be coupled to the various stations and tank 56 by plumping 82. The plumbing 82 can be such as, for example, flexible hose, PVC pipes, PEX tubing, braided hoses, nylon tubing or the like. The plumbing 82 having a pump end on and a station end wherein at least one tubing or piping can couple the pump end the station end together so that fluid can move from the tank 56 to one of the stations.

    [0051] In the preferred embodiment the at least one pump through the plumbing 82 can be coupled to such as, for example, the rinsing station 66, the bottle washing station 60, and the nipple washing station 62 on one end and coupled to the tank on the other end wherein at least one of the tube can be coupled to the washing fluid container 57 and/or the rinsing fluid container 59. In certain embodiments, each station can have its own pump coupled to it or the pump can be coupled to a valve that switches between the stations either electrically or mechanically when the user is in need of that particular station, or in other embodiments one pump can be coupled to each station where the stations are plugged and unplugged when liquid or soap is needed at that station and the pump can be coupled to the other stations.

    [0052] In embodiments, the pump 80 can be activated and selectively transfer between the washing and the rinsing fluids from their respective containers to their intended stations. The washing fluid from the washing fluid container 57 can be directed to the bottle washing station 60 and the nipple washing station 62 and the rinsing fluid from the rinsing fluid container 59 to the rinsing station 66. The pump 80 activates when a user activates bottle washing station 60, pumping the washing fluid from the tank 56 to the bottle washing station 60. The pump 80 deactivates when a user deactivates bottle washing station 60, ceasing pumping the washing fluid from the tank 56 to bottle washing station 60. The pump 80 activates when a user activates the nipple washing station 62, pumping the washing fluid from the tank 56 to the nipple washing station 62. The pump 80 deactivates when a user deactivates the nipple washing station 62, ceasing pumping the washing fluid from the tank 56 to the nipple washing station 62. The pump 80 activates when a user activates rinsing station 66, pumping the rinsing fluid from the tank 56 to rinsing station 66. The pump 80 deactivates when a user deactivates rinsing station 66, ceasing pumping the rinsing fluid from the tank 56 to rinsing station 66.

    [0053] In embodiments, the bottle and components washing apparatus 50 can be powered electrically by one or more batteries or battery packs incorporated in the base 52 or by a standard power cord 84. The power cord 84 has one end electrically connected to the bottle washing apparatus 50 and another end configured with a plug 86 adapted to plug into an electrical outlet. The power cord 84 transmits electrical power from the power source to the bottle washing apparatus's 50 electrically powered components when the plug 86 is plugged into the electrical outlet, allowing the bottle washing apparatus to function. In other embodiments, the bottle washing apparatus 50 batteries can be rechargeable through the power cord 84 and/or such as, for example, through inductive charging.

    [0054] Referring to FIG. 6 which shows a hollow cover 88 wherein the cover can be such as, for example, metal, plastic, ceramic, composite, or the like. The user can place the cover 88 over the base 52 to enclose the washing stations during periods of bottle and components washing, nonuse or storage.

    [0055] Referring to FIG. 7a and FIG. 8 the plurality of stations comprises the bottle washing station 60 having a brush support 380 and a brush receiver 120 wherein the brush receiver can slide axially in and out of the brush support. The bottle washing station 60 can comprise a washing container 100 which can be formed from or attached to the top 76 of the base 52. The washing container 100 can be impervious to fluid and can have a washing container sidewall 102 which can extend vertical in the inner compartment 78 to an upper rim 104 which can be coupled to or part of the top 76. The washing container 100 can have a lower rim 106 affixed to or part of a washing container bottom 108 wherein the washing container bottom and the washing container sidewall 102 can form a volume 110 that can support a brush support 380. The brush support 380 can comprise a brush support bottom 382 and a brush support side wall 384 forming a brush support volume 386 for a brush receiver 120 to slide axially in and out of. The brush support 380 can have at least one sensor 138 coupled to it wherein the sensor can be such as, for example, a switch, proximity switch, capacitive proximity sensor, inductive proximity sensor, or the like. In this example, the sensor 138 can be disposed in the volume 110 between the container's 100 bottom 108 and the brush receiver's 120 bottom 128. The washing container bottom 108 and the brush support 380 can have a hole axially centered coupled to a washing tube 145 which can be coupled to a fluid conduit 82A and in other embodiments the hole can be placed in any suitable position on the container bottom and the brush support.

    [0056] In embodiments, the brush receiver 120 can have a brush sidewall 122 extending upright to an upper rim 124 from a lower rim 126 coupled to or part of a brush receiver bottom 128. The brush receiver 120 can be one piece or multiple pieces. The brush receiver 120 can have brush coupling 135 wherein the brush coupling can extend vertically from the brush receiver bottom 128 forming an attachment point for a brush 140. The brush coupling 135 can be such as, for example, circular, polygonal, rectangular, square or the like shape. The brush receiver bottom 128 and the sidewall 122 can form a brush receiver volume 130. The upper rim 125 can encircle the opening 132 to the volume 130. The brush receiver 120 can slide axially in and out of the brush support 380 wherein a brush spring 139 can be compressed in between the brush support and the brush receiver 120. The brush spring 139 can be such as, for example, compression spring, tension spring, wave spring, Belleville spring, constant force spring, or the like. In certain embodiments the brush spring 139 can be omitted and magnets with opposite poles can be used to push the brush receiver 120 and the brush support 380.

    [0057] In embodiments, the base 52 can encloses at least one motor 134 that can operate at least one station wherein the motor can have a rotor shaft wherein the motor can be mounted centrally atop the brush receiver's 120 bottom 128 wherein the motor's shaft can extend upright through the volume 130 from the bottom 128 to adjacent to the brush receiver's 120 opening 132. The switch 138 can be connected electrically to the pump 80 and the motor 134 wherein the switch is activated when the brush receiver is compressed against the brush support 380. In certain embodiments, the user can manually turn on the pump 80 and the motor 134.

    [0058] In embodiments, the spring 139 can be compressed between the brush receiver 120 and the brush support 380 pushing up against the receiver wherein the spring can push against the brush receiver outwardly keeping the receiver in an off position until the user pushes down brush receiver with the bottle 152 activating the switch 138 which can turn on the at least one pump 80 and the motor 134. The motor 134 can be such as, for example, dc motor, ac motor, stepper motor, servo motor, universal motor, or the like. In certain embodiments, the motor 134 can be coupled to a gear wherein the gear can be coupled to a shaft allowing the shaft to rotate or the gear can be coupled to a brush receiver 135 allowing the brush or the receiver to spin. A fluid conduit 82A which can be part of the plumping 82 can extends upward centrally into the container's 100 volume 110 through bottom 108 and into the receiver's 120 volume 130 through bottom 128 to a central fitting 136. In certain embodiments, the motor 134 can fit over the fitting 136, which can serve as a locating element locating the motor 134 over the brush receiver's 120 bottom 128.

    [0059] In embodiments, a bottle brush 140 can comprise a rod 142 extending upright from a lower end 144 to an upper end 146 wherein the rod can be hollow or can have a hole projecting axial from the lower end 144 to the upper end 146 with at least one jet hole 148 spaced on the rod evenly or unevenly and can have a plurality of bristles 150 coupled to the rod and projecting outwardly to form a cleaning surface 151. The cleaning surface 151 can be brush bristles, a sponge material, or any other porous material that can effectively clean a surface. Bristles 150 can be made from such as, for example, nylon, polypropylene, silicone, boar hair, stainless steel wire, coconut coir, or the like. The bristles 150 can be coupled to the hollow rod by such as, for example, press fit, adhesive, stapling, fusing, clamping, heat sealing, or the like. The rod 142 can be stiff or flexible and can be made from such as, for example, plastic, rubber, metal, or the like. Washing fluid can be provided to the brush at the jet holes 148, through a hole in the top of the rod 142, or, in certain embodiments, the bristles 150 can each have fluid ports that can spray liquid out of the bristle ends. The bottle brush can have any combination of spray from the bristles and/or from the rod 142. The spray delivers fluid to the cleaning surface either by delivering fluid directly out of the cleaning surface or delivering fluid to the interior of the cleaning surface and allowing the fluid to move through the brush bristles or sponge material to arrive at the cleaning surface.

    [0060] In embodiments, the bottle brush 140 can be removable coupled to the brush receiver 135 and/or brush support 380 wherein a brush adapter 136 can couple the rod and the washing tube 145 creating a watertight connection when coupled together wherein the user can remove the brush and attach it to a handle and wherein the bottle brush and/or brush receiver can be axially rotated by at least one motor. The pump 80 and the motor 134 can be activated when a user activates the bottle washing station 60 by pushing down the brush receiver 120 and activating the sensor 138 wherein the washing fluid can be pumped by the pump 80 from the tank 56 through the rod 142 and out the jet holes 148 into the spinning brush 140 which is spun by the motor 134. The pump 80 and the motor 134 can be deactivated when a user releases the brush receiver 120 and disengaging the sensor which can cease pumping the washing fluid by the pump 80 from the tank 56 and the spinning of the brush 140 by the motor 134. The bottle brush 140 can be removed and replaced by a new bottle brush or it can be placed on a handle as shown in FIG. 19a and FIG. 19b.

    [0061] In embodiments, a user can use the bottle washing station 60 to wash a baby bottle 152 by applying the bottle 152 inverted over the bottle brush 140, inserting the brush into the inverted bottle through the bottle's open end 154. The user advances the up-ended bottle 152 downward over the brush 140 so it's open end 154 passes through the opening 132 into the brush receiver's 120 volume 130 and into direct contact against the receiver's 120 bottom 128, encircling the motor 134. The user activates the switch 138, in this example by pressing the bottle 152 downward against the receiver's 120 bottom 128, pressure-activating the sensor 138 between the receiver's 120 bottom 128 and the container's 100 bottom 108. The pump 80 and the motor 134 can be activated when a user activates the bottle washing station 60 by activating the at least one sensor 138, pumping the washing fluid by the pump 80 from the tank 56 to the tube 142 and spinning the brush 140 by the motor 134.

    [0062] The washing fluid pumped to the rod 142 by the pump 80 passes into and through the rod 142 through its lower end 144 and outward through the jet holes 148 to the bristles 150 while the brush 140 rotates the bristles 150 against the bottle's 152 inner surfaces, scrubbing and washing the bottle 152. The pump 80 and the motor 134 can be deactivated when the user deactivates the sensor 138 by simply withdrawing the pressure applied to the receiver 120 by the bottle 152, ceasing pumping the washing fluid by the pump 80 from the tank 56 to station 60 and the spinning of the brush 140 by the motor 134. The user withdraws the bottle 152 from the brush 140. He rinses and dries it for storage or continued use. The bottles washing station 66, as discussed below, can be useful for rinsing the bottle 152 after washing it by bottle washing station 60. The container 100 can be coupled fluidly to the drain 90 by known methods, allowing washing fluid that drains into the container's 100 volume 110 to drain therefrom to and outward from the drain 90.

    [0063] Referring to FIG. 7a and FIG. 9 The nipple can have a inner surface and a outer surface wherein the plurality of stations comprises the nipple washing station 62 can comprise nipple washing container 160 formed into the top 76. The nipple washing container 160 can be fluid-impervious and can have a nipple washing sidewall 162 that can extend upright in the inner compartment 78 to a nipple upper rim 164 which can be connected to the top 76. The nipple washing container 160 can have a nipple lower rim 166 that can be coupled to or affixed to a nipple horizontal bottom 168 wherein the nipple lower rim 166 can be connected to the nipple washing sidewall 162 wherein the nipple washing container can be made from one piece or multiple pieces and can be attached to the top 76 or can be part of the top. The nipple bottom 168 and the nipple washing sidewall 162 can form a nipple washing volume 170. The nipple upper rim 164 can encircle a nipple opening 172 to the nipple volume 170. The nipple volume 170 can be for receiving a nipple base 174 configured with a nipple brush 176 that is shaped to conform to the nipple and a nipple cap 200 removably and rotatably coupled to the nipple base allowing the user to rotate the cap around a nipple and clean the nipple inner surface and nipple outer surface.

    [0064] The nipple base 174 can have a nipple upper surface 176 and a nipple lower surface 178 that can extend radially outward to substantially near or close to a nipple base sidewall 180. The nipple lower surface 178 can fit within the nipple volume 170. The nipple base 174 can have a nipple base flange 182 which can be coupled to the top 76 by such as, for example, adhesive, fasteners, rivets, weld, or the like. The nipple base flange 182 can have one or more holes for fasteners to be inserted into and coupled to the top 76. The nipple base 174 can be made from one or more of such as, for example, plastic metal, ceramic, composite, or the like. The nipple base 274 can be an annular, disk-shaped body including an upper surface 176 and a lower surface 178 extending radially outward to a continuous sidewall 180. A continuous flange 182 projects radially outward from the sidewall 180.

    [0065] The nipple base 174 can extend inward radially through the container's opening 172 over the nipple volume 170 from the base flange 182 projecting radially outward over and directly against the top 76. The nipple base 174 can have a base upper surface 176 which can face upward towards the nipple and a base lower surface 178 that can face downward into the nipple volume 170. The nipple base 174 can have a central stanchion 184 which can project upright from the base's upper surface 176 and can have at least one base hole 173. The nipple base 174 can further comprise a plurality of nipple bristles which can be coupled to and project outward from the base upper surface 176 and the stanchion 184 can form a nipple inner brush 188 shaped and configured to engage the inner surfaces of a baby bottle nipple 190 placed thereover. The nipple base 174 can be made from such as, for example, metal, plastic, ceramic, composite, or the like and can be permanently or removably coupled to the top surface 76 by such as, for example, adhesive, fasteners, rivets, snaps, or the like. In certain embodiments, the nipple base 174 can be rotatably coupled to the top surface 76.

    [0066] The nipple washing station 62 can further comprise an inverted, fluid-impervious, cone-shaped nipple cap 200 which can be made from such as, for example, plastic, metal, ceramic, composite or the like. The nipple cap 200 can have a nipple cap sidewall 202 extending upright from a nipple nipple lower rim 204 to a nipple cap upper rim 206 that can be affixed to a nipple cap horizontal top 208. The cap horizontal top 208 with the nipple nipple sidewall 202 can form an inverted volume 210. The nipple cap lower rim 204 can encircles a nipple opening 212 to the nipple volume 210 wherein the nipple volume 210 can receive through the opening 212 the nipple 190 applied over the nipple inner brush 188.

    [0067] The nipple bristles 214 can be adhered to and projecting inward into the nipple volume 210 from the nipple sidewall 202 to form the nipple cap's 200 upper brush 216 shaped and configured to engage the outer surfaces of nipple 190. The nipple cap 200 can be any suitable shape and size, but in the preferred embodiment it is cone-shaped, or it can be such as, for example, cylindrical shaped, polygonal shaped, elliptical shaped, or the like. The nipple cap 200 can have at list one finger protrusion 203 which can extend outwardly from the nipple cap sidewall 202 wherein in the preferred embodiment the finger protrusion can be at least four allowing the user to have a surface on the nipple cap to be able to rotate the nipple cap around the nipple 190. The nipple inner brush 188 and the nipple bristles 214 can be made from such as, for example, nylon, polypropylene, silicone, boar hair, stainless steel wire, coconut coir, or the like. In certain embodiments, the plumbing 82 can be coupled to the horizontal bottom 168 and the nipple base 174 which can be attached to a nozzle allowing washing fluid to be sprayed onto the nipple 190.

    [0068] A user can use the nipple washing station 62 to wash the nipple 190, in this example the user can insert the nipple over the nipple inner brush 188 and then place the nipple cap 200 over the nipple 190 applied upright over the nipple inner brush 188, enclosing the nipple in the nipple cap's 200 volume 210 through the opening 212. The nipple inner brush 188 can be engaged against the nipple's 190 inner surfaces and the upper brush 216 can be engaged against the nipple's 190 outer surfaces. The user can twist the nipple cap 200 back and forth by hand which can scrub the inner brush 188 against the nipple's 190 inner surfaces and the upper brush 216 against the nipple's 190 outer surfaces, washing the inner and outer surfaces of the nipple. The user may use a washing fluid during this process to facilitate cleaning. The user can withdraw the nipple cap 200 from over the nipple 190 and can withdraw the nipple 190 from over the inner brush 188, and rinses and dries it for storage or continued use. The nipple washing container 160 can be coupled to the drain 90 according to known methods, allowing any washing fluid that drains into the container's 160 volume 170 to drain therefrom to and outward from the drain 90.

    [0069] In certain embodiment, the nipple washing station 62 can be coupled to the washing container 100 via plumbing 82 to pump 80 and configured with a pressure-activated sensor, like bottle washing station 60. In this embodiment, the pump 80 can be activated when a user activates the nipple washing station 62 by activating its sensor, pumping the washing fluid by the pump 80 from the tank 56 to the nipple inner brush 188 and/or nipple bristles 214. The sensor can be configured to interface between the nipple cap 200 and the nipple base 174, to be pressure activated by a user pressing the nipple cap 200 down over the base 174. Washing fluid pumped to the station 62 by the pump 80 passes to the nipple inner brush 188 to effectuate cleaning the nipple's inner surfaces and to nipples bristles 214 to clean the nipple's outer surfaces. The pump 80 deactivates when a user deactivates the nipple washing station's 62 sensor, ceasing pumping the washing fluid by the pump 80 from the tank 56 to station 62. The nipple washing station 62 can be useful for washing nipples of varying size, such as nipple 190 and, for example, nipples 192 and 194, in FIG. 16.

    [0070] Referring to FIG. 7b and FIG. 10, the vent having an inner surface and an outer surface and wherein the plurality of stations comprises the vent washing station is shown generally at 64. The vent washing station 64 can comprise a vent container 220 formed in the top 76. The vent container 220 can be fluid-impervious and includes a vent sidewall 222 extending upright in the inner compartment 78 to an upper rim 224 at the top 76 from a lower rim 226 affixed to a horizontal bottom 228. The vent washing station can have a vent receiver 390 with a plurality of receiver bristles 250 and a vent brush having a hollow vent rod with a plurality of brush bristles, the vent brush can have a vent upper end and a vent lower end and a general frustoconical shape, wherein the vent brush is removably coupled to the vent receiver.

    [0071] The vent receiver 390 can be removably or permanently inserted and coupled to the vent container 220. The vent receiver 390 can comprise a vent flange 225 which can project radially outward from a vent receiver wall 392 wherein the vent receiver wall can extend to a vent receiver bottom 394. The vent receiver 390 can have a continuous flange 225 projects radially outward from the upper rim 224. The vent container 220 depends downward into the inner compartment 78 through an opening in the top 76 from the flange 225 projecting radially outward over and directly against the top 76. The vent bottom 228 cooperates with the sidewall 222 to form a volume 230. The upper rim 224 encircles opening 232 to the volume 230.

    [0072] The vent receiver 390 can further comprise a receiver inner surface 396 wherein the inner surface can have the plurality of vent bristles 250 permanently or removably coupled to it. The vent receiver 390 can further comprise a vent brush 240 having a vent rod coupled to the vent receiver bottom 394 wherein the vent rod has a vent rod lower end 244 and a vent rod upper end 246 and a vent liquid hole 247 axially centered on the vent rod which can extend from a vent rod lower end 244 to a vent rod upper end 246. In certain embodiments the vent liquid hole 247 can be coupled to the lower end 244 which can be coupled to plumbing 82 which can be coupled to at least one pump 80 wherein the pump can spray water through the vent liquid hole 247 into the vent cleaning the vent. The vent brush 240 can be removed from the vent receiver and coupled to a vent handle 262 when not coupled to the vent receiver.

    [0073] The vent rod 242 can extend upright through the volume 230 from the vent rod lower end 244 releasably coupled and centrally located to the vent receiver's bottom 228 through the receiver's opening 232 to the vent rod upper end 246. The plurality of vent brush bristles 250 can be coupled to and projecting outward from the rod 142, as shown in FIG. 10, and from the receiver inner surface to complete the vent brush 240. The plurality of vent brush bristles 250 can include a narrow brush section 250B extending upward from a comparatively wider brush section 250A having a generally frustoconical shape but in embodiments, the shape can be such as, for example, conical, circular, square, or the like or can match the shape of the different size vents. The brush section 250A extends upright within volume 230 from the vent receiver bottom 394 to brush section 250A, which extends upright through the volume 230 from brush section 250A to the opening 222 and beyond the opening to the vent rod's 242 upper end 246. The plurality of vent bristles 250 can be coupled to or adhered to and projecting inward into the volume 230 from the vent receiver sidewall 392 and from the vent rod 242 projecting outwardly towards the vent receiver sidewall.

    [0074] A user can use the vent washing station 64 to wash a vent for a baby bottle, in this example a vent 260 came be placed over the vent brush 240 and the vent brush can be inserted into the vent. The user can advance the vent 260 downward over the vent brush 240 so it passes into the volume 230 through the vent receiver opening 232 and into direct contact against the vent receiver bottom 228, engaging the brush section 250A against the inner surface of the vent's 260 enlarged section 260A, the brush section 250A against the inner surface of the vent's 260 narrow section 260B, and the vent receiver inner surface 396 vent bristles 250 can scrub against the outer surface of the vent 260 within the vent's volume 230. The user can twist the vent 260 back and forth by hand, scrubbing the brush section 250A against the inner surface of the vent's 260 enlarged section 260A, the brush section 250A against the inner surface of the vent's 260 narrow section 260B, and the vent receiver bristles 250 can rub against the outer surface of the vent 260 within the receiver volume 230, washing all the surfaces of the vent 260.

    [0075] The user can use a washing fluid during this process to facilitate cleaning. The user withdraws the vent 260 from over the vent brush 240 and rinses and dries it for storage or continued use. The vent container 220 can be coupled fluidly to the drain 90 according to standard methods, allowing any washing fluid that drains into the vent volume 230 and into the vent container to the drain and outward from the drain 90. The vent washing station 64 can be useful for washing vents, such as vent 260 and, for example, vent 262, which is shorter in length than vent 260, in FIG. 10. A user may detach the vent brush 240 from the vent washing station 64 and connect it to a separate handle 263 for manual use, as shown in FIGS. 20a and 20b. A user may also detach the vent brush 240 from the vent handle 263 and reattach it to the vent washing station 64.

    [0076] In another embodiment, the vent washing station 64 can be coupled to washing fluid via plumbing 82 to pump 80 and configured with a pressure-activated sensor, like the bottle washing station 60. In this embodiment, the pump 80 can be activated when a user activates the vent washing station 64 by activating its sensor, pumping the washing fluid by the pump 80 from the tank 56 to the vent brush 240. The washing fluid can be pumped to the vent brush 240 and can go into the vent rod 242 and through appropriate injection holes through the vent rod to the vent bristles 250. The sensor can be configured to interface between the vent and the vent receiver bottom 228, to be pressure activated by a user pressing the vent down over the vent receiver bottom. The washing fluid can be pumped to the vent washing station 64 by the pump 80 which can pass to the vent brush 240 to effectuate cleaning the vent's inner and outer surfaces. The pump 80 can be deactivated when a user deactivates the vent washing station's 64 sensor, ceasing pumping the washing fluid by the pump 80 from the tank 56 to vent washing station. The vent washing station 64 can also be configured with a sensor-activated motor configured to rotate and or reciprocate the vent brush 240, like bottle washing station 60.

    [0077] Referring to FIGS. 7c and 13a a rinsing station is shown generally at 66. The rinsing station 66 can be used to rinse both a baby bottle 152 and a vent 260 before and/or after being washed by the vent washing station 64 and bottle washing station 60. The rinsing station 66 can comprise a rinsing container 270 which can be fluid-impervious and can have a rinsing sidewall 272 that can extend upright in the inner compartment 78 to a rinsing upper rim 274 which can be affixed to or integral to the top 76. The rinsing container 270 can have a rinsing lower rim 276 affixed or integral to a horizontal rinsing bottom 278. The rinsing bottom 278 and the rinsing sidewall 272 can form a rinsing volume 280 which can partially contain a rinsing receiver 290. The rinsing upper rim 274 can encircles rinsing opening 282 to the rinsing volume 281.

    [0078] The rinsing receiver 290 can comprise a rinsing receiver sidewall 292 extending upright in the rinsing volume 281 to a rinsing receiver upper rim 294 from a rinsing receiver lower rim 296 affixed or integral to a rinsing receiver bottom 298. The rinsing receiver horizontal bottom 298 and the rinsing sidewall 292 can form a rinsing receiver volume 300. The rinsing receiver upper rim 294 encircles rinsing opening 302 to the rinsing volume 300. The rinsing receiver 290 extends upright through the rinsing volume 300 to the rinsing bottom 298 wherein the rinsing receiver is slidably coupled to a receiver support 303 wherein the rinsing receiver has a locating element with a rinsing opening that is coupled to the exit line to the at least one pump. The receiver support 303 can accept the rinsing receiver bottom 298 and partially accept the rinsing sidewall 292. The receiver support 303 can have a receiver support sidewall 293 which can extend to a receiver support recess 293.

    [0079] The receiver support 303 can have a receiver support bottom 295 that extends away from the receiver support sidewall 293 forming a receiver support recess 297 wherein the receiver support bottom 295 can come into contact with or can be coupled with the rinsing bottom 278. The receiver support 303 can generally be circular but in other embodiments can be any suitable shape and size such as, for example, polygonal, square, rectangular, square or the like. The receiver support 303 can have at least one drainage port and fluid feed port 279 located on the receiver support bottom 295 wherein the fluid feed port can be coupled to the plumbing 82. The rinsing receiver 290 can further comprise a conduit 310 which can axially locate the rinsing support with the receiver support 303 wherein a spring 139, having the same properties as mentioned above, can push against the rinsing receiver 290 keeping it in its open position as shown in FIG. 13a and as a user pushes the rinsing receiver the spring can be compressed as shown in FIG. 13b. The conduit 310 can slide within the fluid feed port 279.

    [0080] A locating element or lug 304 can be mounted centrally atop the rinsing receiver bottom 298 which can extend upright through the rinsing volume 300 from the rinsing bottom 298 to adjacent to the rinsing opening 302. A standard, pressure-activated rinsing sensor 308 can interact operatively between the rinsing receiver 290 and the receiver support 303 and in certain embodiments the rinsing support can be omitted, and the rinsing receiver can slide and push against the rinsing container 270. In this example, the sensor 308, which is fluid resistant, can be disposed between the receiver bottom 298 and the receiver support 303. The sensor 308 can be connected electrically to the pump 80. A fluid conduit 82B, part of the plumping 82, extends upward centrally into the receiver support bottom 295 and can be fluidly couples to a conduit 310 extending through the rinsing receiver 290 bottom and lug 304 as shown in FIG. 13a.

    [0081] The pump 80 can activate when a user activates the rinsing station 66 by pushing down on the rinsing receiver 290 activating the sensor 308 which turns on the pump which moves the rinsing fluid from the tank 56 to and outward to the conduit 310. Rinsing fluid can be pumped to the conduit 310 by the pump 80 which squirts upward and outward into the bottle 152 and/or vent 260. The pump 80 deactivates when a user deactivates the sensor 308, ceasing pumping the rinsing fluid by the pump 80 from the tank 56 to rinsing station 66.

    [0082] A user can use the rinsing station 66 to rinse baby bottles and baby bottle vents, such as baby bottle 152 and vent 260. The user rinses the bottle 152, such as after being washed by bottle washing station 60, by applying the bottle 152 downward and inverted over the lug 304, inserting the lug 304 into the inverted bottle 152 through the bottle's open end 154. The user can advance the up-ended bottle 152 downward over the lug 304 so it's open end 154 passes through the opening 302 into the rinsing volume 300 and into direct contact against the receiver bottom 298, encircling the locating element or lug 304. The user activates the sensor 308 by pressing the bottle 152 downward against the receiver bottom 298, pressure-activating the sensor 308 between the receiver bottom 298 and the rinsing bottom 278. The pump 80 activates when a user activates the rinsing station 66 by activating the sensor 308, pumping the rinsing fluid by the pump 80 from the tank 56 to the conduit 310. The rinsing fluid pumped to conduit 310 by the pump 80 squirts or sprays into the bottle's 152 interior, rinsing it. The pump 80 deactivates when the user deactivates the sensor 308 by withdrawing the pressure applied to the rinsing receiver 290 by the bottle 152, ceasing pumping the rinsing fluid by the pump 80 from the tank 56 to rinsing station 66. The user withdraws the bottle 152 from the station and dries it for storage or continued use. The rinsing container 270 is coupled fluidly to the drain 90 according to standard methods, allowing rinsing fluid that drains into the rinsing volume 280 to drain therefrom to and outward from the drain 90.

    [0083] A user uses the rinsing station 66 to rinse the baby bottle vent 260, such as after being washed by vent washing station 64, by applying the vent 260 downward over the lug 304, inserting the lug 304 into the vent 260. The user advances the vent 260 downward over the lug 304 so its enlarged section 260A passes through the opening 302 into the receiver's 290 volume 300 and into direct contact against the receiver's 290 bottom 298, encircling the lug 304. The user activates the switch 308 by pressing the vent 260 downward against the receiver's 290 bottom 298, pressure-activating the switch 308 between the receiver's 290 bottom 298 and the rinsing bottom 278. The pump 80 activates when a user activates the station 66 by activating the switch 308, pumping the rinsing fluid by the pump 80 from the tank 56 to the conduit 310. The rinsing fluid pumped to conduit 310 by the pump 80 into and through the vent 260, rinsing it. The pump 80 deactivates when the user deactivates the switch 308 by withdrawing the pressure applied to the receiver 290 by the vent 260, ceasing pumping the rinsing fluid by the pump 80 from the tank 56 to rinsing station 66. The user withdraws the vent 260 from the station and dries it for storage or continued use. If desired, the user can apply the bottle 152 over the vent 260 for rinsing them concurrently, as shown in FIG. 13a.

    [0084] Referring to FIG. 7c and FIG. 11 a cap washing station is shown generally at 68. The cap washing station 68 can comprise a cap container 320 formed or integral to the top 76. The cap container 320 can be a fluid-impervious outer container which can include a cap sidewall 322 extending upright in the inner compartment 78 to a cap upper rim 324 which can be affixed to or integral to the top 76. The cap sidewall 322 can extend to a cap lower rim 326 affixed to a cap bottom 328. The cap bottom 328 and the cap sidewall 322 can form a cap volume 330. The cap upper rim 324 can encircle the cap opening 332 to the volume 330. The cap volume 330 can be for receiving an inner container 340 placed therein through the cap opening 332.

    [0085] The cap receiver 340 can be fluid-impervious and includes a cap receiver sidewall 342 extending upright through cap volume 330 to a cap upper rim 344 at the top 76 from a cap lower rim 346 affixed to a cap bottom 348. The cap bottom 348 with the cap sidewall 342 can form a cap receiver volume 350. The upper rim 344 encircles an opening 352 to the cap receiver volume 350. A cap flange 345 projects radially outward from the cap upper rim 344. The cap receiver 340 can project downward into cap volume 330 through cap opening 332 from the cap flange 345 projecting radially outward over and directly against the top 76 to the cap bottom 348 atop the cap bottom 328. A cap brush 362 can comprise a plurality of cap bristles 360 which can be couple to or adhered to and projecting inward into the cap receiver volume 350 from the cap sidewall 342. The cap brush 362 can be on at least one cap receiver sidewall 342 including a cap bottom 348.

    [0086] A user can use the cap station 68 to wash a cap for a baby bottle, cap 370 in this example, by simply inserting the cap 370 into the cap receiver volume 350 through cap opening 352 and, with his hand, rotating the cap 370 against the cap brush 362 in the cap volume 350. This scrubs the cap brush 362 against the cap 370, washing it. The user may use a washing fluid during this process to facilitate cleaning. The user can withdraw the cap 370 from the cap volume 350 through the cap opening 352 and dries it for storage or continued use. The cap container 320 can be coupled fluidly to the drain 90 according to standard methods, allowing any washing fluid that drains into the cap volume 330 to drain therefrom to and outward from the drain 90. The cap washing station 68 can be useful for washing caps for baby bottles, such as cap 370 and, for example, cap 372, which is smaller than cap 370. A user may also wash other items with cap washing station 68, such as teething articles, etc. Like the vent washing station 64, cap washing station 68 can be coupled fluidly to the pump 80 and configured with a pressure activated sensor that, when activated, activates the pump 80 to pump washing fluid to it to effectuate cap washing.

    [0087] The present invention is described above with reference to illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention.

    [0088] For instance, the pressure-activated sensors can take on various known formats and can be positioned and configured variously to perform their stated functions without departing from the invention. In alternate embodiments, the bottle washing apparatus 50 can be configured with a bank of manual switches each configured to independently activate and deactivate the pump/motor of each station with respect to each station. The bottle washing apparatus 50 can also have a main ON/OFF switch, allowing a user to activate and deactivate the bottle washing apparatus 50. While the bottle washing apparatus 50 has five stations, a machine constructed and arranged according to the invention can have any combination of two or more of the described stations, serving as a multipurpose apparatus, or just one of the stations, serving a single purpose machine.

    [0089] A bottle washing apparatus 50 can be constructed and arranged according to the invention, one for washing articles for use by children as disclosed herein, can be configured with multiple pumps. For example, FIG. 21 is a highly generalized schematic representation of such a machine, designated at 50A. The bottle washing apparatus 50 embodiment designated at 50A has multiple pumps 80A and 80B. The pumps 80A and 80B are each identical to pump 80. The pump 80A is dedicated to pump washing fluid from its container, tank's 56 washing fluid container 56A, to the baby bottle washing station 60 when activated, the baby bottle nipple washing station 62 when activated, the baby bottle vent washing station 64 when activated, and the baby bottle cap washing station 68 when activated. The pump 80B can be dedicated to pump rinsing fluid from its container, tank's 56 rinsing fluid container 56B, to the baby bottle rinsing station 66 when activated. The tank's 56 containers 56A and 56B are the same in both machines 50 and 50A. In the multiple-pump machine 50A embodiment, appropriate plumbing fluidly couples the pumps 80A and 80B to their respective containers 56A and 56B and their target stations. Other than this, the structure and operation of the machine embodiment designated at 50A is the same as machine 50.

    [0090] A method of cleaning a bottle having a bottle reservoir, a cap, a nipple, and a vent, the method comprising providing a plurality of stations comprising a bottle washing station, a rinsing station, a vent washing station, a nipple washing station and a cap washing station. Coupling each of the plurality of stations to a base. Connecting a tank to the base, the tank configured to accommodate a washing fluid. Connecting the tank to each station such that each station is in fluid communication with the tank. Instructing a user how to use the plurality of stations to clean a bottle. The bottle washing station and vent station each comprise a removable brush component.

    [0091] Various further changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

    [0092] In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such, various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those precisely as shown and described.

    [0093] Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the methods and devices described herein. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.